Lt Uzair Mehmood Malik embraces martyrdom after succumbing to gun-battle wounds: ISPR

Rawalpindi: In a tragic and heroic display of courage, 24-year-old Lieutenant Uzair Mehmood Malik of the Pakistan Army has embraced martyrdom after sustaining severe injuries during a fierce gunfight with Khawarij insurgents in Tirah Valley, Khyber District, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported on Sunday.

Lieutenant Uzair Mehmood Malik, a resident of District Attock, was receiving intensive medical treatment at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Peshawar following the clash. The confrontation occurred across three separate locations in Tirah Valley, where security forces engaged in intense exchanges of fire with the insurgents.

At one of the conflict zones in Bagh, Lieutenant Malik led his troops from the front with remarkable bravery, resulting in the elimination of four insurgents. Despite his valorous efforts, he was critically wounded during the engagement and ultimately succumbed to his injuries.

The ISPR conveyed deep condolences for Lieutenant Malik’s sacrifice and reaffirmed the military’s unwavering commitment to eradicating terrorism from Pakistan. “The sacrifices of our brave officers and soldiers only serve to reinforce our determination to combat terrorism,” the statement emphasized.

This latest sacrifice follows the martyrdom of three soldiers on August 9, who fell during separate confrontations with terrorists in Tirah Valley. The soldiers—Havildar Inam Gul, 37, from District Mianwali; Sepoy Muhammad Imran, 29, from District Tank; and Sepoy Iltaf Khan, 22, from District Mardan—demonstrated extraordinary valor before laying down their lives.

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The recent surge in terrorist attacks in Pakistan, particularly in areas bordering Afghanistan, has been linked to the Taliban’s resurgence in the region. Militants have increasingly used advanced weaponry against Pakistani security forces, prompting intensified counterterrorism operations.

According to the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), Pakistan faced 380 fatalities and 220 injuries from violence in the second quarter of this year, stemming from 240 incidents involving terrorism and counter-terrorism actions.

In response, the federal cabinet has approved Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, a robust national counterterrorism initiative aligned with the National Action Plan to decisively address and neutralize the terrorist threat.

The nation mourns the loss of its brave personnel and remains steadfast in its resolve to combat the scourge of terrorism, honoring their ultimate sacrifice with continued vigilance and action.