Army officer, sepoy martyred in terrorist ambush in North Waziristan

RAWALPINDI: Two Pakistani servicemen, a second lieutenant among them, were martyred when terrorists ambushed their vehicle in a mountainous region of North Waziristan Agency.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, said terrorists opened fire at an army vehicle from surrounding mountains in North Waziristan tribal region.

Resultantly, second lieutenant Abdul Moeed and sepoy Basharat embraced martyrdom, it added.

The ISPR said 21-year-old Moeed had recently passed out from the Pakistan Military Academy and was a resident of Burewala city of the Vehari district.

Whereas, 21-year-old Basharat, who was serving in the armed forces for three years, was a resident of Danyor village in Gilgit.

In a statement, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa said, “Freedom isn’t free, it costs sons of the soil. Freedom that we enjoy today is owed to so many such brave hearts. Salute to our Martyrs.”

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi strongly condemned the terrorist attack, saying that these matchless sacrifices rendered by precious soldiers in the war against terrorism will always be remembered as they form the most important aspect of our national history.

Abbasi said as a nation, we will never forget the greatest contribution of the valiant armed forces in the war against the enemies of the country.

In an earlier incident on Sept 23, a 22-year old army officer was martyred in firing by terrorists on a border post in Rajgal valley.

Terrorists attacked the border post from across the Pak-Afghan border, leaving lieutenant Arsalan Alam, who was commanding officer of the post, with fatal injuries, the military’s media wing had said and added that the army officer died on the spot.

The border post was established recently after the Pakistan army successfully carried out an operation in Rajgal valley of Khyber Agency.

Earlier on Aug 21, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor had announced the successful completion of Operation Khyber-4 in the Rajgal Valley, which lasted more than a month.

He said the army had achieved its objectives in the Rajgal and Shawal valleys.

Two soldiers of the Pakistan Army were martyred and 15 others injured during the operation which was aimed at clearing out hideout of terrorists from these areas.