Six soldiers embraced martyrdom while defending a check post in Thal district, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, during a terrorist attack, while 22 terrorists were neutralized in separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) across the province on December 6-7, the military reported on Saturday.
In one operation, security forces acted on intelligence about terrorist activity in the Gul Imam area of Tank district. “Troops effectively engaged the terrorists’ position, killing nine and injuring six,” the military’s media wing, ISPR, stated.
The military uses the term “Khawarij” to refer to terrorists from the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which is responsible for much of the violence in the country.
In another operation, 10 terrorists were eliminated during an IBO in North Waziristan district.
During a third encounter in Thal district, security forces foiled a terrorist attempt to assault a check post, killing three attackers. However, six soldiers—described as “brave sons of the soil”—sacrificed their lives in the fierce exchange of fire, the ISPR said.
The Martyrs
The ISPR identified the martyred soldiers as:
- Naib Subedar Mohammad Khalid (39) from Kohat district, with 22 years of service, survived by his father and wife.
- Havildar Jadeed Ali (35) from Orakzai district, with 17 years of service, survived by his father and wife.
- Lance Naik Waliat Hussain (28) from Kurram district, with nine years of service, survived by his father and wife.
- Lance Naik Saifullah (30) from Khyber district, with seven years of service, survived by his parents and wife.
- Lance Naik Rahman (27) from Kurram district, with eight years of service, survived by his parents.
- Sepoy Nizamuddin (27) from South Waziristan, with five years of service, survived by his parents.
Ongoing Operations
Sanitization operations are underway to clear the areas of any remaining terrorists. The ISPR reiterated the military’s determination to eradicate terrorism, stating, “The sacrifices of our brave soldiers only strengthen our resolve to eliminate this menace.”
Tributes and Leadership’s Response
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the professionalism and dedication of the security forces for their successful operations in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, which resulted in the elimination of 22 terrorists and the capture of six injured militants.
The funeral prayers for the martyrs were held in Thal tehsil, Hangu district, attended by the Peshawar corps commander, senior officials, and local residents. The ISPR assured, “The supreme sacrifices of these martyrs in defending the homeland will not go in vain.”
Cross-Border Concerns
Pakistani officials expressed concern over the continued use of Afghan soil for terrorist activities against Pakistan, particularly by TTP affiliates. The military leadership called for the Interim Afghan Government (IAG) to take visible measures to prevent cross-border terrorism, emphasizing the mutual benefits of stronger cooperation between the two neighboring Islamic countries.
