Pak Army major, two soldiers martyred in KP IBO

RAWALPINDI: A young officer of Pakistan Army and two soldiers were martyred while nine khwarij were killed during two separate Intelligence Based Operations (IBOs) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan province on Wednesday.

Security forces conducted an IBO in the general area Bakka Khel, Bannu District, on reported presence of khwarij on Wednesday. During the conduct of operation, troops effectively engaged khwarij’s location, as a result of which eight khwarij were killed while seven khwarij got injured.

However, during an intense exchange of fire, Major Atif Khalil (age: 31 years, resident of District Sudhanuti, AJK), a brave officer who was leading his troops from front, fought gallantly and embraced Shahadat along with his two men. The two soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice include Naik Azad Ullah (age: 36 years, resident of District Karak) and Lance Naik Ghazanfar Abbas (age: 35 years, resident of District Layyah).

Sensitization operation is being carried out to eliminate any other Kharji found in the area. The security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of brave soldiers further strengthen their resolve, said the ISPR.

Major Atif Shaheed performed the sacred duty of defence of the country for over eight years. He left behind parents, brothers and sisters, his widow and a daughter. Naik Azadullah Shaheed served the Pakistan Army while defending the country for 15 years. He is survived by a widow, two sons and a daughter. Lance Naik Ghazanfar Abbas also served the Pakistan Army for 14 years before he embraced Shahadat. He is survived by a widow, a daughter and a son.

Meanwhile, security forces killed a kharji and arrested another in injured condition in Zhob district of Balochistan on Tuesday night. Security forces conducted an Intelligence Based Operation in the general area Sambaza, Zhob District, on reported presence of Khwarij. During the conduct of operation, an intense fire exchange took place between the troops and Khwarij, as a result of which one Kharji was killed, while one Kharji was apprehended in injured condition. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from them.

A sanitisation operation is being conducted to neutralise any other Kharji present in the area. Security forces of Pakistan, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart attempts at sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement said.