RAWALPINDI: At least seven Pakistan Army soldiers, including a lieutenant colonel and captain, embraced martyrdom after gallantly fighting with terrorists as they attacked asecurity forces' post in the general area Mir Ali of North Waziristan District, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Saturday.
According to the military's media wing, a group of six terrorists attacked the post in the early hours today with the Pakistani troops foiling their initialattempt of intrusion before they rammedan explosive laden vehicle into the post, followed by multiple suicide bombing attacks, which led to collapse of portion of a building, resulting into the martyrdom of the brave sons of the soil.
"During the conduct of ensuing clearance operation, own troops led by Lieutenant Colonel Kashif, effectively engaged and sent to hell all six terrorists," the statement read.
The shuhada, as per the ISPR, included Havildar Sabir (resident of District Khyber), Naik Khurshid (resident of District Lakki Marwat), Sepoy Nasir (resident of District Peshawar), Sepoy Raja (resident of District Kohat) and Sepoy Sajjad (resident of District Abbotabad).
Meanwhile, the 39-year-oldLieutenant Colonel Syed Kashif Ali — who was leading his troops from the front — and 23-year-oldCaptain Muhammad Ahmed Badarpaid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat duringan intense exchange of fire with the terrorists, the ISPR mentioned.
Lieutenant ColonelAli hailed from Karachi, while Captain Babar was a resident ofDistrict Talagang.
"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 added.
The funeral prayers of the martyred officers and personnel were offered in separate areas, the military's media wing said in a statement issued later in the day.
"Martyrs will be laid to rest with military honours in their hometowns," it added.