Three Soldiers Martyred in Gun Battle at Pak-Afghan Border, Five Terrorists Neutralized: ISPR

In a valiant encounter with terrorists attempting to infiltrate Pakistan via the Afghanistan border, three soldiers embraced martyrdom, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported on Monday.

According to the military’s media wing, the incident occurred on the night between August 18 and 19, when a group of terrorists was detected trying to breach the Pak-Afghan border near Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bajaur district.

“Security forces effectively engaged the terrorists, thwarting their infiltration attempt. As a result, five terrorists were eliminated, while four others were injured,” stated the ISPR.

The soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty were identified as Sepoy Waqar Khan (25), Lance Naik Umer Hayat (35), and Naik Inayat Khan (36). They fought bravely before embracing martyrdom.

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Pakistan has repeatedly urged the interim Afghan government to ensure effective border management on their side, the ISPR noted. “The interim Afghan government is expected to fulfill its obligations and prevent the use of Afghan soil by terrorists to perpetrate acts of terrorism against Pakistan,” it added. The statement further emphasized that the security forces of Pakistan are committed to securing the nation’s borders, and the sacrifices of these brave soldiers only strengthen this resolve.

This incident follows a similar operation on Friday in the Razmak area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where three terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based operation by security forces.

Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, Pakistan has witnessed a surge in terrorism, particularly in the border provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

A report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) highlighted that during the second quarter of the current year, Pakistan experienced 380 fatalities and 220 injuries due to violence, with a significant portion attributed to terror attacks and counter-terrorism operations.