Two soldiers martyred in K-P IBO

RAWALPINDI:

Two soldiers embraced martyrdom while nine terrorists were killed in two separate engagements in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the military's media wing said on Saturday.

According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement, the engagements occurred on Friday and Saturday.

In the first, security forces carried out an intelligence-based operation in Mohmand district during which "seven Khwarij were sent to hell" after troops "effectively engaged" them at their location.

However, the ISPR added that Malakand district's Havildar Muhammad Zahid (37) and Sepoy Aftab Ali Shah (26) hailing from Chitral "rendered the ultimate sacrifice" and embraced martyrdom during the intense fire exchange after "having fought gallantly".

In another encounter that took place in the general area Maddi, Dera Ismail Khan District, the ISPR said troops exchanged fire with terrorists, killing two of them.

It added that weapons and ammunition were recovered from the slain terrorists who were actively involved in numerous terrorist activities.

The ISPR said sanitisation operations were being conducted to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area. "Security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country," it concluded.

Meanwhile, President Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani lauded the security forces for two successful operations against Khawarij in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He commended the security forces for their bravery in killing nine Khawarij.

He paid tribute to the two brave Jawans for embracing martyrdom during the operations.

He applauded the bravery of the sons of the nation for sacrificing their lives for the country.

He said the brave armed forces were carrying out successful operations for eradicating Fitna al-Khawarij. The President expressed determination to continue operations till complete elimination of terrorism. He said the whole nation stood with the security forces in the war against terrorism.

President Gilani prayed for the elevation of ranks of the martyrs in Jannah and for grant of patience to the bereaved families.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday lauded the officers and Jawans of security forces for successful intelligence based operation against Fitna Al-Khawarij in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

He appreciated the officers and Jawans of security forces for their professional capabilities for eliminating nine Khawarij in Mohmand and Dera Ismail Khan.

He paid tribute to Havaldar Muhammad Zahid and Sepoy Aftab Ali Shah for embracing martyrdom for the country while fighting bravely and killing Khawarij.

He prayed for the elevation of ranks of martyrs in Jannah and for the grant of patience to the bereaved families.

He said the war against the menace of terrorism would continue till its complete eradication from the country.

The nation stood with the armed forces in the war against terrorism, he added.

He said the whole Pakistani nation was proud of its brave Jawans, who were giving their lives for the nation, and their families.