2 soldiers embrace martyrdom, terrorists’ ring leader killed

RAWALPINDI: Two valiant soldiers of the Pakistan Army on Saturday embraced martyrdom while killing terrorists’ ring leader Saleem alias Rabbani during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) conducted by the security forces in Buner District.

According to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the terrorists’ ring leader Rabbani was a high value target who was killed during the conduct of the operation after an intense fire exchange while two other terrorists were injured.

However, during the operation, two brave sons of the soil, Lance Havildar Mudassar Mehmood (age 36 years; resident of district Rawalpindi) and Lance Naik Haseeb Javed (age 27 years; resident of district Poonch, AJK), having fought gallantly, embraced Shahadat (martyrdom), the official news agency reported.

Terrorist Saleem alias Rabbani remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against the security forces as well as extortion and target killings of innocent civilians, the ISPR said.

He was highly wanted by the law enforcement agencies and the government had fixed a head money of Rs5 million on him.

“Sanitisation operation is being carried out to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area. Security forces of Pakistan remain determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,” the ISPR said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday lauded the security forces for their successful operation against terrorists in Buner.

The prime minister said that the valiant jawans of Pakistan Army with their professional capability had sent the enemies of the country to hell. He further said that he along with the entire nation paid tribute to the valorous soldiers on their valiant act.

The prime minister also expressed his deep grief and sorrow over the shahadat of Lance Havildar Mudassar Mehmood and Lance Naik Haseeb Javed, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

He prayed for the high ranks of the martyred and for the bereaved families to bear the losses with fortitude.

The unprecedented sacrifices of the sons of the soil were a matter of great pride for the whole nation, he said, adding that the nation was standing along with its armed forces in the fight against terrorism. He also expressed the resolve to continue fighting the spectre of terrorism till its complete elimination.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also paid homage to the two soldiers of the Pakistan Army who were martyred in the operation against terrorists in Buner.

Martyrs Havildar Mudassar and Lance Naik Haseeb bravely thwarted the nefarious intentions of the terrorists, said the minister in his message.

Naqvi expressed his heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the families of the martyrs and said that Havildar Mudassar and Lance Naik Haseeb got the high status of martyrdom for the sake of peace of the nation.

Martyrs are the pride of the nation, he said, adding that martyrs have cultivated peace with their precious blood.

He said that the nation is determined in the war against terrorism and such cowardly acts cannot defeat the unwavering resolve of the nation.