Seven soldiers martyred in Mir Ali

RAWALPINDI: At least seven Pakistan Army soldiers, including a lieutenant colonel and captain, embraced martyrdom as a group of six terrorists attacked a security forces’ post in the general area Mir Ali of North Waziristan District in early hours of Saturday, the Inter-Services Public Relations said in a press release.

As own troops foiled the initial attempt of intrusion, the terrorists rammed an explosive laden vehicle into the post, followed by multiple suicide bombing attacks, which led to collapse of portion of a building, resulting into Shahadat of five brave sons of the soil, the ISPR said.

The Shuhada included Havildar Sabir (resident of District Khyber), Naik Khurshid (resident of District Lakki Marwat), Sepoy Nasir (resident of District Peshawar), Sepoy Raja (resident of District Kohat) and Sepoy Sajjad (resident of District Abbottabad).

During the conduct of the ensuing clearance operation, own troops led by Lieutenant Colonel Kashif effectively engaged and sent to hell all six terrorists.

However, during intense exchange of fire, leading his troops from the front, Lieutenant Colonel Syed Kashif Ali (age: 39 years, resident of Karachi) and Captain Muhammad Ahmed Badar (age: 23 years, resident of District Talagang), having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced Shahadat, the ISPR added.

Sanitisation operation is being conducted to eliminate any other terrorist present in the area, as security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Mir Ali and paid tribute to the martyred officers and personnel of Pakistan Army.

President Zardari reiterated the resolve to eradicate terrorism forever, the President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release.

The president, expressing condolences, prayed for the high ranks of the Shuhada and for the bereaved families to bear the loss with fortitude.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his deep grief over the martyrdom of the seven personnel, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

He said that the martyred jawans had foiled nefarious designs of terrorists. The entire nation, including him, were proud of the sacrifices of the shaheed jawans who had laid down their lives for the motherland, he added.

The prime minister also prayed for the high ranks of the Shuhada and for the bereaved families to bear the loss with strength.