Two officers among 11 army men martyred

Eleven servicemen — including two officers — were martyred during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in a mountainous district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the military confirmed in a statement on Wednesday, adding that 19 terrorists were also eliminated in the engagement.

"Security forces conducted an IBO in Orakzai district on the reported presence of terrorists belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al Khwarij. During the conduct of operation, 19 Indian-sponsored khwarij were sent to hell due to effective engagement by own troops," the military's media wing ISPR said. Fitna Al Khawarij is the state-designated term for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its allies.

The operation triggered a fierce gunfight. "During the intense fire exchange, Lieutenant Colonel Junaid Tariq (age: 39 years, resident of Rawalpindi district), leading his troops from the front, along with second in command Major Tayyab Rahat (age: 33 years, resident of Rawalpindi district) having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat along with his nine men," the statement added.

The ISPR identified the martyred soldiers as Naib Subedar Azam Gul, 38, from Khyber; Naik Adil Hussain, 35, from Kurram; Naik Gul Ameer, 34, from Tank; Lance Naik Sher Khan, 31, from Mardan; Lance Naik Talish Faraz, 32, from Manshera; Lance Naik Irshad Hussain, 32, from Kurram; Sepoy Tufail Khan, 28, from Malakand; Sepoy Aqib Ali, 23, from Swabi; and Sepoy Muhammad Zahid, 24, from Tank.

"A sanitisation operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored Khwaraji found in the area," the ISPR said, adding that such sacrifices of our brave men strengthen the resolve of Pakistan's security forces to wipe out the menace of Indian sponsored terrorism from the country.

Later, the funeral prayers for Lt Col Junaid Tariq and Maj Tayyab Rahat were offered at Chaklala Garrison in Rawalpindi. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, federal ministers, military and civil officers and public attended the janaza.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari praised the security forces for their successful operation in Orakzai. The president expressed satisfaction over the elimination of 19 Indian-backed Fitna al Khawarij terrorists, his office said in a statement.

President Zardari paid tribute to the martyred servicemen Lt Colonel Junaid Tariq, Major Tayab Rahat, and others, calling them "heroes of the nation." He extended his condolences to the families of the martyrs and prayed for strength and patience for them during this difficult time.

"Our brave soldiers have set an everlasting example by sacrificing their lives in the defence of the country," the president said, adding that the sacrifices of the martyrs are a symbol of national unity and unwavering resolve.

He also reaffirmed the nation's determination to eliminate Indian-backed terrorists from Pakistan's soil.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the martyrdom of Lt Col Junaid Tariq and Maj Tayyab Rahat, along with other brave soldiers of the Pakistan Army. He prayed for peace for the departed souls and strength for their families to bear the loss.

"The sacrifices of the brave soldiers will never go in vain. We will thwart the nefarious designs of India-backed terrorists. Those attempting to harm Pakistan's integrity will not succeed," the prime minister said, reiterating the government's resolve to purge the country of terrorism.