Five soldiers martyred in attack from Afghan side

Three border posts in Mohmand Agency targeted; security forces kill 15 terrorists in retaliatory action; Foreign Office summons Afghan envoy, lodges strong protest; PM says enemies of Pakistan will be eliminated along with their cancerous ideology; COAS appreciates response of troops to attack

GHALLANAI: Five soldiers were martyred when Afghanistan-based militants attacked border posts of the security forces in Mohmand Agency, official sources said on Monday.

The sources said the militants on Sunday night attacked three posts in Gorapari and Suran along the Pak-Afghan border in Mohmand Agency. Official sources claimed the security forces retaliated and killed 15 militants in the ensuing clash that continued for several hours. In a statement, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the military, said: “Last night terrorists from across the border attempted physical attack on three Pakistan border posts in Mohmand Agency.”

“Effective presence, vigilance and response repulsed terrorists’ attempt,” the statement added. It added that over 15 militants were killed and 20 others injuries.  The ISPR said there were credible reports of six operational level terrorists killed overnight including Kuchay Bajauri, Zar Mohammad, Huzaifa, Sangary, Lakhkari and Sangeen. It added that the Pakistan Army will not spare any terrorist.

The soldiers killed during the attack have been identified as Naik Sanaullah, Naik Safdar, Sepoy Altaf, Sepoy Nek Muhammad and Sepoy Anwar. Jamaatul Ahrar, a splinter group of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), claimed responsibility for the attack. This faction draws most of its support from Mohmand Agency. Its leader Abdul Wali aka Omar Khalid Khorasani and other leaders also belong to Mohmand Agency. Its members fled to Afghanistan after suffering defeat at the hands of Pakistani military and were able to set up safe havens across the border in Nangarhar province.

Meanwhile, the ISPR said that the funeral prayers for the martyred soldiers were offered at the Peshawar Cantonment on Monday. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak, Crops Commander Peshawar Lt Gen Nazir Ahmed Butt and other senior serving civil and military officers and soldiers attended the funeral. The bodies of the deceased would be taken to their native areas where they will be buried with full military honours.

Pakistan lodged strong protest with the Afghan government over the martyrdom of five Pakistani soldiers at military posts in Mohmand Agency as a result of firing by terrorists from Afghan territory.

Afghan deputy head of mission was called to the Foreign Office on Monday and conveyed Pakistan’s grave concern over the incidents. The Afghan government was urged to thoroughly investigate the incidents and take firm action against the terrorists operating from its soil to prevent recurrence of such incidents. It was further emphasised that cooperation from Afghan side for effective border management is important for preventing cross-border movement of terrorists and militants.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif while expressing his deep grief over the martyrdom of Army personnel has made it clear that the sacrifices rendered by the country's brave soldiers while defending the motherland are the "real lifeline of nation". 

In a statement prior to his departure for Kuwait, the prime minister said the soldiers who sacrificed their life are our real heroes and the nation will honour them by standing firm against nefarious designs of terrorists to hit at our way of life.

The premier condemned in the strongest words the attack in Mohmand Agency where five Army personnel lost their lives. He said Pakistan would become stronger and stronger "because our men in uniform are vigilant at our borders and in urban centres".

The prime minister said the terrorists are sadly mistaken if they think that they can weaken the resolve of Pakistani nation. Nawaz reminded that operation Raddul Fasaad is against every terrorist working from within the country or operating from a foreign territory. 

"The enemies of Pakistan will be eliminated along with their cancerous ideology," the prime minister said. He prayed that Almighty Allah rest the departed souls in eternal peace and grant patience and courage to the bereaved families to bear the loss with equanimity.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa appreciated the response by Pakistani troops to the Sunday night cross-border terrorists' attack in Mohmand Agency. He underscored the need for required physical presence in Pak-Afghan border area for matching and effective border security.

"Terrorists are common threat and must be denied freedom of movement/action along the border," the COAS said. Expressing grief on loss of precious lives, the COAS hailed the sacrifice made by the brave sons of soil.