Lt Colonel, five soldiers martyred in N Waziristan

RAWALPINDI: An officer and five soldiers of Pakistan Army were martyred while eight Khwarij were killed in two separate engagements in North Waziristan and Swat, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Saturday said.

On the night of October 4 and 5, a fire exchange took place between the security forces and Khwarij in general area Spinwam, North Waziristan District. As a result, six Khwarij were killed due to effective engagement by own troops.

However, during the intense fire exchange, Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Ali Shoukat (Age: 43 years, resident of District Faisalabad), a brave officer who was leading his troops from the front, fought gallantly and embraced Shahadat along with his five men.

The five brave soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice include Lance Naik Muhammad Ullah (age: 31 years, resident of District Khyber), Lance Naik Akhtar Zaman (age: 30 years, resident of District Lakki Marwat), Lance Naik Shahidullah (age: 29 years, resident of District Tank) and Lance Naik Yusaf Ali (age: 31 years, resident of District Orkazai), Sepoy Jameel Ahmed (age: 26 years, resident of District Swat).

Sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Kharji found in the area as security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve, the ISPR statement said.

Namaz-e-Janaza of Lt Colonel Muhammad Ali Shaukat Shaheed and five Shaheed soldiers was offered at the Peshawar Garrison on Saturday afternoon.

Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, senior serving and retired army officers, civil officials, Jawans and relatives of Shuhada attended the Namaz-e-Janaza. The Jasad-e-Khakis of Shuhdaa were sent to their native towns where they would be buried with military honours.

Meanwhile, on the night of October 4 and 5, the law enforcement agencies conducted a joint intelligence-based operation in general area Charbagh, Swat District.

During the conduct of operation, after an intense fire exchange, two khwarij, including Kharji ringleader Attaullah alias Mehran, were sent to hell, while one kharji was apprehended in injured condition.

Kharji Attaullah alias Mehran remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area, including the Improvised Explosive Device blast on a police vehicle escorting the convoy of foreign dignitaries in Swat on 22nd of last month.