NORTH WAZIRISTAN: A tragic incident took place in the insurgency-hit North Waziristan region, where a convoy of Pakistani security forces was targeted in a suicide bomb attack on Saturday, killing 13 soldiers and injuring three civilians, including two children and a woman.
The cowardly attack was carried out by a suicide bomber belonging to the Indian-backed terrorist group Fitna-ul-Khawarij in the general area of Mir Ali. The attacker tried to ram a vehicle laden with explosives into the convoy but was stopped by the lead security team. Despite efforts to prevent casualties, the terrorists managed to ram the vehicle into one of the security forces vehicles, causing a massive explosion.
The brave soldiers who embraced martyrdom have been identified as
-
Subedar Zahid Iqbal (45, Karak)
-
Havildar Sohrab Khan (39, Naseerabad)
-
Havildar Mian Yousaf (41, Buner)
-
Naik Khitab Shah (34, Lower Dir)
-
Lance Naik Ismail (32, Naseerabad)
-
Sepoy Rohail (30, Mirpur Khas)
-
Sepoy Muhammad Ramzan (33, Dera Ghazi Khan)
-
Sepoy Nawab (30, Quetta)
-
Sepoy Zubair Ahmed (24, Naseerabad)
-
Sepoy Muhammad Sahki (31, Dera Ghazi Khan)
-
Sepoy Hashim Abbasi (20, Abbottabad)
-
Sepoy Muddasir Ejaz (25, Layyah)
-
Sepoy Manzar Ali (23, Mardan)
Security forces immediately launched a massive sweep in the area. A fierce exchange of fire killed 14 terrorists. An operation is underway to eliminate the remaining elements involved in the attack.
Military officials strongly condemned the attack and held India responsible for sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan through proxy groups like Fitna-ul-Kharij. “Such cowardly acts cannot weaken our resolve, the blood of our martyrs strengthens our resolve to defend the nation at all costs,” the ISPR spokesperson said.
The nation is united behind the security forces in their tireless efforts to root out terrorism and mourns the loss of its brave sons.