Security forces killed six terrorists during an intelligence-based operation in Dera Ismail Khan district on Saturday, while two soldiers were martyred in an exchange of fire, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Sunday.
According to the military’s media wing, the operation was conducted in the Zarkani area following reports of the presence of terrorists belonging to the “Indian proxy” Fitna Al Khwarij.
The ISPR identified the soldiers killed in the exchange of fire as Naik Ghulam Murtaza, 36, a resident of Gujrat district, and Sepoy Taseer Ahmed, 30, a resident of Talagang. It said both soldiers fought gallantly and were killed in action.
Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the terrorists, who, the ISPR said, had been involved in attacks on security forces and law enforcement agencies, as well as the killing of civilians.
The military said a sanitisation operation was under way to clear the area of any remaining terrorists.
It added that counterterrorism operations under the government-approved “Azm-e-Istehkam” framework would continue to target what it described as foreign-sponsored terrorism.
President, PM laud security forces
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended security forces for killing six Indian-backed terrorists during an IBO in Dera Ismail Khan.
Both leaders paid tribute to the martyred soldiers as well and expressed heartfelt condolences and sympathy to their bereaved families.
President Zardari lauded the bravery, dedication and supreme sacrifices of the martyred personnel in defending the motherland, praising the security forces for their continued sacrifices and professional services to ensure peace, stability and public safety.
“The conspiracies of terrorists’ foreign sponsors and their local facilitators would be foiled at all costs,” he said.
PM Shehbaz said the sacrifices of the country’s brave soldiers reflected Pakistan’s unwavering resolve to eliminate terrorism. He added that the entire nation saluted the sacrifices of its security personnel and that their martyrdom would not go in vain.
The prime minister reaffirmed the government’s determination to eradicate terrorism from the country under the Azm-e-Istehkam initiative.