Seven troops martyred, four terrorists killed in North Waziristan clash

ISLAMABAD: Seven soldiers embraced martyrdom whereas four terrorists were killed in a clash in North Waziristan on Friday.

Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a tweet said that a military convoy was ambushed by terrorists near Pak-Afghan border in general area Isham, North Waziristan.

ISPR further said that the troops initiated a prompt response, effectively engaged and killed four terrorists. However, during intense exchange of fire seven soldiers were martyred.

Clearance operation in the area is underway to eliminate any terrorists.

Pakistan Army is determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve, the ISPR maintained.

However, ninety per cent or 9 out of 10 Pakistanis believe that it is very important to respect the army in order to be a true Pakistani, according to a recent poll conducted by Gallup and Gilani Pakistan.

At the opinion poll on patriotism — released on November 25 – a national representative sample of adult men and women from across the four provinces was asked as to what degree he or she believes respecting the army is necessary to be a true Pakistani.

According to Gallup Pakistan, in response to this question, 90% people said it is very important; 7% said it is somewhat important; 1% said it is of very little importance while another 1% people said it is not important at all. One percent did not know the answer or provided no response.

Interestingly, slightly more rural respondents (92%) felt that it is very important to respect the army in order to be a true Pakistani as compared to urban respondents (87%).

Read more: COAS General Bajwa doesn’;t want an extension: DG ISPR