Soldier martyred in Waziristan explosion

RAWALPINDI: One soldier was martyred as an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded in South Waziristan on Wednesday.

The IED exploded near a military check-post in Kaniguram, South Waziristan. Resultantly, Lance Naik Waqas Ahmed, 26, of Karachi embraced Shahadat, the ISPR said, adding that a cordon and search operation is in progress to apprehend any terrorist in the area. “The Pakistan Army is determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and sacrifices of our brave soldiers strengthen our resolve,” the ISPR said in a statement.

Meanwhile, three children stated to be brothers were martyred and another two were injured in a landmine explosion in the Tangi Budinzai area of Ladha Tehsil in South Waziristan on Wednesday, sources said.The sources said that a group of children from the same family was playing outside their home when they found an unexploded explosive device and mistook it for a toy. The children were playing with it when a deafening explosion took place, leaving three children dead and two wounded.

The martyred children were said to be brothers aged between 7 and 12. They were sons of Haji Dauran Mahsud. Similar explosions took place in this area in the past. It was learnt that the place was the hideout of Taliban militant commander Shamim Mahsud, who was killed along with his scores of accomplices in a military operation in the area.