MIR ALI (N. WAZIRISTAN): Six terrorists who attacked a security post here in the early hours of Saturday (16th March, 2024) were killed by security forces.

A group affiliated with Hafiz Gul Bahadur (who fled to Afghanistan during 2014 Operation Zarb-i-Azb) claimed responsibility for the attack.

ISPR informed: “As own troops foiled the initial attempt of intrusion, the terrorists rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the post, followed by multiple suicide bombing attacks, which led to the collapse of a portion of a building, resulting into shahadat (martyrdom) of five brave sons of the soil.”

Havaldar Sabir (r/o District Khyber), Naik Khurshid (r/o District Lakki Marwat), Sepoy Nasir (r/o District Peshawar), Sepoy Raja (r/o District Kohat) and Sepoy Sajjad (r/o District Abbottabad) were the first to lay their lives for the motherland.

During the clearance operation 23-year-old Captain Muhammad Ahmed (r/o District Talagang) and 39-year-old karachiite Lt/ Col. Syed Kashif Ali of FC, leading his troops from the front, effectively engaged the escaping terrorists and killed all six while paying the ultimate sacrifice.

“Sanitisation operation is being conducted to eliminate any other terrorist present in the area, as security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,” ISPR held.

Lt. Col. Kashif Ali, NK Khurshid, Sep. Raja, Hav Sabir, Sep Sajjad and Captain Muhammad Ahmed

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APP Adds: The funeral of the seven martyred soldiers who embraced martyrdom while gallantly thwarting the terrorists’ attack on the military post including two officers were held at Bannu Cantt on Saturday.

The funeral prayers of martyrs including Lieutenant Colonel Syed Kashif Ali (resident of Karachi), Captain Muhammad Ahmad Badar (resident of Talagang), Havaldar Sabir (resident of Khyber), Naik Khurshid (resident of Lakki Marwat), Sepoy Nasir (resident of Peshawar), Sepoy Raja (resident of Kohat), and Sepoy Sajjad (resident of Abbottabad) were offered in Bannu Cantt.

“The martyrs will be buried in their native areas with full military honours. However, a large number of military and civil officials including General Officer Commanding Major General Anjum Riaz attended the funeral prayers,” the ISPR said.

“Pakistan Army will continue to render sacrifices till the last drop of blood for the defence of the dear motherland,” the ISPR said.

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APP Adds: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar while paying tribute to all seven martyrs of Mir Ali including Lieutenant Colonel Syed Kashif Ali and Captain Muhammad Ahmed Badar on Saturday strongly condemned the “malicious campaign” launched by some social media accounts associated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

“Terrorists have attacked on the ground while PTI supporters did that on social media front,” the minister said in a strong reaction to the PTI’s alleged “malicious campaign” against the martyrs.

“The PTI has remained involved in disrespecting the martyrs,” said the minister in a news statement while citing some examples such as May 9 when the state institutions came under attack and martyrs’ memorials defiled, and also Lasbela helicopter crash.

He paid tribute to the martyrs on behalf of the entire nation which saluted them for their “unforgettable” sacrifices.

The minister said there is no soft corner in the hearts of the people for those who had disrespected its martyrs. “We will not compromise on the dignity and honor of the martyrs and the law will take its course.”

Such vile campaigns against martyrs and national institutions laid bare the reasons of foreign funding being received by the PTI, he said alleging that such initiatives were meant to appease the terrorists and enemies of Pakistan.

He said the PTI had sided with the terrorists which was reflected from such a “condemnable and insulting” behavior and that too against the martyrs of the nation.

The minister recalled the recent protest by the PTI supporters outside the IMF office abroad to destabilize the economy.

The PTI had nothing to do with the interests of Pakistan and the sacrifices of martyrs, Tarar noted.

Strict legal action would be taken against a handful of miscreants who were not part of a political party instead they were mere “rioters and militants”.

Newspakistan.tv/APP