ISLAMABAD: At least 13 Pakistan Army soldiers were martyred when an explosive-laden vehicle of the Indian-sponsored terrorists rammed into a security forces vehicle in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) North Waziristan district, a military statement said on Saturday.
According to a statement by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the cowardly attack was planned and orchestrated by the terrorist state of India, and executed by its proxy Fitna al Khwarij in Mir Ali, North Waziristan District.
“A vehicle-borne suicide bomber attempted to explode himself on a security forces convoy, who was intercepted by the leading group, foiling his nefarious design,” the statement said.
However, it added that an explosive-laden vehicle was rammed by the Indian sponsored Kharjis into one of the vehicles of the leading group.
“Resultantly, thirteen brave sons of soil embraced Shahadat. In this tragic and barbaric incident, three innocent civilians, including two children and a woman, also got severely injured,” the ISPR statement said.
In the aftermath of the attack, security forces launched a sanitisation operation in the area. “During the ensuing exchange of fire, 14 terrorists were killed,” the statement said, adding that the operation was still ongoing to eliminate any remaining threats.
The soldiers who lost their lives in the line of duty were identified as Subedar Zahid Iqbal (age: 45 years), Havildar Sohrab Khan (age: 39 years), Havildar Mian Yousaf (age: 41 years), Naik Khitab Shah (age: 34 years), Lance Naik Ismail (age: 32 years), Sepoy Rohail (age: 30 years), Sepoy Muhammad Ramzan (age: 33 years), Sepoy Nawab (age: 30 years), Sepoy Zubair Ahmed (age: 24 years), Sepoy Muhammad Sahki (age: 31 years), Sepoy Hashim Abbasi (age: 20 years), Sepoy Muddasir Ejaz (age: 25 years) and Sepoy Manzar Ali (age: 23 years).
“The security forces of Pakistan, along with the nation, remain resolute in their determination to eliminate terrorism from the country,” the ISPR said, adding that the sacrifices of soldiers and civilians further reinforce our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation at all costs.”
President, PM condemnation
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have strongly condemned the cowardly attack on the security forces in North Waziristan.
In their separate statements, they paid tribute to 13 brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the operation.
They prayed for the elevation of the ranks of the martyrs and patience for their families. They also prayed for the speedy recovery of civilians, including children and women, who were injured during the operation.
President Asif Ali Zardari said the Pakistani nation and security forces are determined to root out Indian-sponsored terrorism from the country.
In his statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the Indian-sponsored terrorists carried out a cowardly attack.
He said the entire nation salutes the brave martyrs and remains committed to completely eradicating all forms of terrorism from the country.
