ISLAMABAD: Seven soldiers embraced martyrdom whereas four terrorists were killed in a clash in North Waziristan on Friday.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Clearance operation in the area is underway to eliminate any terrorists.<\/p>\n
Pakistan Army is determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve, the ISPR maintained.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
At the opinion poll on patriotism \u2014 released on November 25 \u2013 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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%).<\/p>\n