Major among four army officials martyred in KP

PESHAWAR: A major and three soldiers of the Pakistan Army laid down their lives during a military operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Wednesday. 

According to the army's media wing, Major Ali Salman — who hails from a 'secret agency' — was leading a team in an anti-terrorist operation in Timergara, Dir when they were killed in a suicide bombing. 

The ISPR said the incident took place on Tuesday night when an operation — based on intelligence information — against terrorists was under way. 

As the army team entered the hideout of suspected terrorists in Sherotkai, a suicide bomber blew himself up, killing the army officials, while another was killed in retaliatory fire. 

It was stated that one suspected terrorist was also arrested from the site. 

The deceased were identified as Maj Ali Salman, Havaldar Ghulam Nazir, Havaldar Akhtar and Sepoy Abdul Karim.

Later on Wednesday, the funeral prayers for the martyrs were offered in Peshawar where senior military and civilian officials were in attendance. 

Tributes to the martyrs 

"Each drop of blood of our heroes is a testament to the fact that we all are united as a nation to cleanse our beloved motherland from terrorist elements," the prime minister's office said in a statement.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan paid tribute to the army personnel martyred in a suicide bombing during an anti-terrorist operation in Timergara, Dir, and offered his condolences to their families.

Those who lay down their lives in defense of the country are heroes of the nation, Khan said.

We pay tribute to those who have sacrificed in the war against terrorism, he added. 

Former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani also paid tribute to the martyrs. “We stand with the families of the martyrs,” he said. 

Input from Reuters