- ISPR says one terrorist was “sent to hell” during the shootout.
- Pakistani Army reiterated its resolve to root out terrorism.
- Sanitization operation is going on to eliminate terrorists in the area.
Rawalpindi: Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Monday said two soldiers were martyred in an encounter with terrorists in Mir Ali area of North Waziristan district.
According to a statement from the army’s media wing, the incident occurred on the night between November 12 and November 13.
ISPR said, security forces effectively located the hideout of the terrorists and as a result, one terrorist was “sent to hell”.
However, during the intense firing, 25 year old constable Abdullah, resident of Mardan and 19 year old constable Muhammad Sohail, resident of Tharparkar, embraced martyrdom after fighting bravely.
The army’s media wing said the forces conducted a cleanup operation in the area to eliminate other terrorists.
It said, “Pakistan’s security forces are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve.”
The country of 240 million has faced a surge in terrorism in recent months, with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other terrorist organizations stepping up their crackdown against security forces.
In response, the state has also launched a campaign to curb terrorism.
On November 2, at least 14 soldiers were martyred when terrorists attacked two vehicles carrying security forces in Gwadar.
Besides, security forces had earlier this month foiled a terrorist attempt at Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Mianwali Training Air Base and also killed nine terrorists.
The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) said in a report released in October that security forces lost at least 386 personnel in the first nine months of 2023, the highest level in eight years.
In the third quarter of 2023, about 445 people lost their lives and 440 were injured in more than 190 terrorist attacks and counter-terrorism operations.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan were the primary epicenters of violence, accounting for approximately 94% of all deaths and 89% of attacks (including incidents of terrorism and security forces operations) recorded during this period.
