Four army personnel martyred in KP

RAWALPINDI: A young officer of Pakistan Army and three soldiers were martyred while 15 Khwarij were killled in two separate engagements in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province on Saturday.

The Inter-ServicAes Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement said that an intelligence-based operation (IBO) was conducted by the security forces in general area Hathala, Dera Ismail Khan District, on reported presence of Khwarij. During the operation, Pakistan Army troops effectively engaged the Khwarij location and resultantly, nine Khwarij, including Kharji ring leaders and high value target Farman alias Saqib, Kharji Amanullah alias Toori, Kharji Saeed alias Liaqat and Kharji Bilal, were sent to hell.

The killed khwarij were involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area and were highly wanted by the law enforcement agencies.

In another operation conducted in general area Miran Shah, North Waziristan District, six Khwarij were effectively neutralised by the security forces.

However, during an intense fire exchange, Lieutenant Muhammad Hassan Arshaf (age: 21 years, resident of District Lahore) leading his troops from the front, fought gallantly and embraced Shahadat along with his three men. The three soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice include Naib Subedar Muhammad Bilal (39 years, resident of District Dera Ismail Khan), Sepoy Farhat Ullah (27 years, resident of District Lakki Marwat) and Sepoy Himat Khan (29 years, resident of District Mohmand).

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

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces’ officers and personnel for their successful operation against Fitna al-Khwarij terrorists in the KP. The president and prime minister appreciated the security forces for their professional capabilities by sending 15 Khwarij to hell. They paid tribute to four martyred security personnel, including Lt Muhammad Hassaan Arshaf Shaheed, who laid down their lives during the operation. They prayed for the high ranks of shaheed security personnel and expressed condolences with the bereaved families.

The president said the nation would always remember the sacrifices of its valiant shuhada, and praised their passion of patriotism and bravery, the President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release. The president also reiterated the unflinching national resolve to continue operations till the complete elimination of Khwarij terrorists.

The prime minister paid tribute to shaheed Lt. Muhammad Hassaan Arshaf, Naib Subedar Muhammad Bilal, Sepoy Farhatullah and Sepoy Himat Khan who laid down their lives while fighting bravely during the operation, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release. The prime minister said he along with the entire nation, was proud of their shuhada and their families.

Expressing strong resolve, he said that they would not let terrorists succeed in their nefarious designs and disrupt peace in the country. He commended the officers and jawans of Pakistan armed forces for defending and protecting the country round the clock without caring for their lives. The nation saluted the brave forces for their unwavering resolve to protect the motherland, he added.

The funeral prayer of Lieutenant Muhammad Hassan Ashraf Shaheed was solemnly offered at Lahore Garrison.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with the Defence Minister, Information Minister, senior serving military and civil officials and relatives of the Shaheed, attended the funeral to pay their respects.

In his statement, the prime minister remarked that “this noble sacrifice serves as yet another resplendent example of the unwavering dedication and bravery of our valiant sons, who willingly lay down their lives for the sovereignty and defence of our beloved homeland. The entire nation stands united in unwavering solidarity with our Armed Forces.”

Lieutenant Muhammad Hassan Ashraf Shaheed will be laid to rest with full military honours, in recognition of his supreme sacrifice for the nation.Asim Yasin adds: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari commended the security forces for successfully eliminating 15 terrorists in two separate intelligence-based operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “The security forces’ operations against terrorists are a testament to the unwavering resolve of the Pakistani nation, “ he said in a statement on Saturday.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed sorrow over the martyrdom of Lieutenant Muhammad Hasan Ashraf, Naib Subedar Muhammad Bilal, Sepoy Farhatullah, and Sepoy Himmat Khan during the operations, and said that the officers and soldiers who embraced martyrdom will forever remain the heroes of our nation. The PPP chairman extended his heartfelt condolences and solidarity to the families of martyred soldiers and prayed for them to find strength and patience in this difficult time.