North Waziristan: Eight soldiers were martyred in two terrorist attacks in North Waziristan on Thursday. Security sources gave this information.
In one incident, seven soldiers were killed in an ambush on a vehicle of security forces in Datkhel tehsil of North Waziristan tribal district. In the second incident in Isham area of the district, a soldier was martyred in a clash between security forces and terrorists.
As far as the first attack is concerned, officials said the militants attacked a moving vehicle of the security forces at Datakhel near the Afghan border. Sources said the insurgents used rocket propelled grenade launchers and assault guns in the attack.
Officials at Miramshah, the district headquarters of North Waziristan, told the media that seven soldiers were killed in the attack.
The martyred soldiers have been identified as Havildar Tariq, Sepoy Arshad, Sepoy Kashif, Sepoy Junaid, Sepoy Ejaz Ali, Sepoy Waqas and Sepoy Jawad Mir. Their bodies were taken to Miramshah by military helicopter.
Sources said that the search operation is going on in the area. According to reports, the security personnel also retaliated but the casualties on the terrorist side could not be ascertained.
The ISPR has yet to confirm the attack or issue a formal statement.
The major attack follows a deadly attack three days ago in the southern district of Dera Ismail Khan, in which five policemen were killed and four were injured.
Unlike other areas of North Waziristan, Datakhel is considered a relatively safe sanctuary for terrorist groups. Security forces are yet to evacuate the area and hundreds of displaced families are still waiting to return to their homes.
Military media wing ISPR said that in the second attack, there was a gunfight between soldiers and terrorists in Isham area of North Waziristan district in which 28-year-old soldier of Mianwali Asmatullah Khan embraced martyrdom.
The area is being sanitized to eliminate any terrorist found in the area.
Security sources said that Pakistan Army is committed to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve.
The incidents on Thursday raised the number of terrorist attacks on security forces this week to three in the Waziristan region of East FATA.
An army major and an army jawan were killed and two were injured in an attack on a check post of security forces in South Waziristan district on Monday. In that attack, two terrorists were also killed during an encounter with the security forces.
DG ISPR said in a press release on Thursday that 97 officers and jawans had embraced martyrdom in the first three months of this year. With the addition of eight more martyrs on Thursday, the number rose to 105.
He said 128 terrorists were killed in the same period, while 270 were arrested.
Published in Dawn, April 15, 2022