Pakistan Army major killed in North Waziristan checkpost attack

Officials say 22 suspected militants killed in security forces' retaliatory action

MIRAMSHAH, NORTH WAZIRISTAN: A major-ranked officer of the Pakistan Army was killed late on Sunday night as militants attacked a checkpost in Speen tehsil of North Waziristan.

Political administration officials confirmed that Major Ismael was killed late on Sunday night when a group of militants targeted a military checkpost located in Dandi Katch area near the Pak-Afghan border.

Read: 15 killed as Pakistan Army jets pound terrorist hideouts in Shawal

Following the attack, security forces launched a crackdown, killing 22 suspected terrorists.

The body of the deceased major was airlifted to Peshawar, where his funeral prayers were offered, and later sent to his native town for burial.

Read: Seven soldiers killed in North Waziristan gun battle

On Sunday, 15 suspected militants were killed in airstrikes at two different locations in Shawal, North Waziristan, officials had said on Sunday evening.

Read: Army launches ground operation in Shawal, NWA

In a similar attack on August 24, a lieutenant colonel and a soldier were killed during clashes between militants and Pakistan Army in the same area of the agency.

Pakistan Army has been fighting a major offensive in the area since June last year.