Six security force personnel martyred in IED blast

QUETTA: Six security force personnel were martyred and two others were injured in an IED blast in Shahrag near the Khost area of Harnai district on Monday.

According to the security force spokesman, unknown men had planted an IED beside the road which the security forces’ vehicle hit during patrolling. The vehicle was destroyed in the blast.The victims were identified as Lnk Yousaf Imran, Sep Shahb-uddin, Sep Fayyaz, Sep Umer, Sep Naeem and civilian security Fazal Rehman. The injured were identified as Sub Haydatullah and civilian driver Saadullah.

The bodies and the injured were shifted to a nearby hospital.Security forces cordoned off the entire area and started search to trace out suspects.

Further investigation was underway.Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Monday condemned the attack on the security forces’ vehicle resulting in the killing of six personnel in Harnai.

“The attack on this day, when the entire nation celebrates its independence, will not deter our valiant forces from their duty towards the motherland.

“It is these soldiers who ensure our freedom through their sacrifices. Such cowardly attacks cannot dampen our nation’s morale on such an important day,” stated the prime minister,” he said.