PESHAWAR: Five Pakistani soldiers embraced martyrdom after terrorists attacked three Pakistani posts in Mohmand Agency. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), “Terrorists from across the border attacked three Pakistani border posts in Mohmand Agency. Effective presence, vigilance and response repulsed the attempt. In an exchange of fire, five soldiers embraced martyrdom. Over 10 terrorists were reported killed. Those martyred include Naik Sanaullah, Naik Safdar, Sepoy Altaf, Sepoy Nek Muhammad and Sepoy Anwar.”
Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Bajwa praised the Pakistani troops for repelling the attack.
He said the terrorists are a common enemy and coordinated efforts are required to check the free movement of terrorists on the border. The funeral prayers of the martyred soldiers were offered at Peshawar Garrison Club on Monday.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor, Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, Corps Commander Lt General Nazir Butt, and other civil and military officers attended the prayers.
The martyrs will be buried in their hometowns.
Punjab Chief Minister, Shahbaz Sharif, condemned the attack and expressed his sympathies with grieving families of the martyred soldiers. However, he praised the soldiers for killing 10 terrorists. Separately, the government launched a strong protest with the Afghan government over the martyrdom of the soldiers.
In this regard, Afghan deputy head of mission was called to the Foreign Office for Pakistan to convey their grave concern over the incident. The Afghan government was urged to thoroughly investigate the incidents and take firm action against terrorists operating from its soil to prevent the recurrence of such incidents. It was further emphasized that cooperation from the Afghan side for effective border management was important for preventing cross-border movement of terrorists and militants.
In a statement, Foreign Office spokesman, Nafees Zakaria said, “Our valiant soldiers sacrificed their lives for the security of the country and their people.” Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the sacrifices rendered by the country’s brave soldiers while defending the motherland were the real lifeline of the nation. “The soldiers who sacrificed their lives are our real heroes and the nation promises to honour them by standing firm against terrorists’ nefarious designs to hit at our way of life,” he said in a statement on the terrorist attack in Mohmand. He said Pakistan would become stronger and stronger “because our men in uniform are vigilant at our borders and in urban centers”. “Terrorists are sadly mistaken if they think they can weaken the resolve of our nation,” he said.
Nawaz said Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad was 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,” he said. He prayed for the blessing of the departed souls.
