5 security personnel martyred in KP

Published July 10, 2024
RAWALPINDI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir carry the coffin of martyred Capt Osama bin Arshad, after his funeral at Chaklala Garrison on Tuesday.—APP
RAWALPINDI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir carry the coffin of martyred Capt Osama bin Arshad, after his funeral at Chaklala Garrison on Tuesday.—APP

NORTH and SOUTH WAZIRISTAN / LAKKI MARWAT: Eight people — five security officials and three children — lost their liv­es in three separate incidents in Lakki Marwat, Nor­th and South Waziri­stan districts on Tuesday.

A military officer was martyred in an exchange of fire with militants in North Waziristan, while three soldiers lost their lives in an attack, and 12 others were injured in the South Waziristan district. Separately, a police officer and his three minor nephews lost their lives in Lakki Marwat district on Tuesday.

Captain Muhammad Osama bin Arshad, 24, a resident of Rawalpindi district, was martyred during a fire exchange between security forces and militants in the district, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

During the gunfight, the security forces effectively targeted the militants, resulting in the deaths of two militants, the ISPR added.

A sanitisation operation was underway to eliminate any remaining militants in the area. “Security forces of Pakistan are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the country and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,” it added.

PM Shehbaz Sharif and KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur expressed their grief over the martyrdom of Captain Osama.

Three soldiers martyred

In the South Waziristan district, three soldiers were martyred during an intense exchange of fire with militants, the ISPR said.

It identified the three soldiers as Sepoy Asadullah, 30, a resident of Matiari district; Sepoy Muhammad Sufyan, 28, a resident of Dera Ismail Khan district; and Non-Combatant Bearer Zain Ali, 24, a resident of Bahawalnagar district.

Lakki Marwat attack

In Lakki Marwat, four family members, including a police officer, lost their lives and a minor was injured when unidentified assailants opened fire on their vehicle near Kurram Bridge on the Indus Highway, within the jurisdiction of Dadiwala police station.

“Head Constable Saadullah and his family were travelling to Peshawar from Titterkhel for medical treatment,” an official said. The attackers suddenly emerged and sprayed the car with bullets, injuring the police officer and his three nephews. Two women in the car remained unharmed.

Constable Saadullah, 37, and his nephews — Abdul Rehman, 8; Sufyan, 12; and Sayyam, 12 — were seriously injured in the attack and died on the way to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital in Serai Naurang town. Another injured minor, Farmanullah, was transferred to a hospital in Peshawar.

Constable Saadullah, who was stationed at the Shaheed Haibat Ali Khan Police Station in Darra Pezu town, hailed from Titterkhel town.

After the incident, a large police contingent arrived at the scene and launched a search operation for the attackers. Counterterrorism department personnel and investigation experts also collected evidence at the crime scene.

The cop’s body was taken to the police lines, where his funeral prayer was offered before being transported to Titterkhel for burial with full official honours. The attack occurred near a dense forest along the Kurram River, known locally as ‘Darga’.

Separately, three women were injured when a mortar shell struck a police officer’s house in Tappi, North Waziristan. Police reported that the injured women were taken to the hospital for treatment.

Published in Dawn, July 10th, 2024

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...