SOUTH WAZIRISTAN / LAKKI MARWAT: Eight security personnel have been martyred in separate attacks in different areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to the military’s media wing and police.

In the Ladha area of South Wazir­istan, a group of militants attacked a checkpoint of security forces, Inter-Services Public Rela­tions (ISPR) confirmed in a statement.

In the ensuing exchange of fire with the security forces, five alleged militants were killed.

“However, during [an] intense exchange of fire, six brave sons of soil, having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat,” the ISPR statement read.

Earlier on Thursday, at least seven terrorists attempted to infiltrate the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in the Spinwam area of North Waziristan district,“ the statement read.

Six soldiers embrace martyrdom in attack on check post; intelligence officer gunned down in Bannu

The border forces detected the incursion and “surrounded” the infiltrators. In the exchange of fire, security forces killed all seven militants.

A large quantity of weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the possession of the alleged terrorists.

Intelligence officers gunned down

In the Shahdev Khas area of Bannu, an intelligence official was martyred and his brother injured in an attack on Friday, according to local police.

The victim, identified as Sultan Niaz, a sub-inspector in the Intelligence Bureau, was sitting with his brother, Shahab, near a market when assailants riding motorcycles opened fire at them.

The deceased and injured were moved to the District Head­quarters Hospital while a large contingent of police reached the area and launched a search operation.

Cross-border firing

Earlier on Thursday night, a security official was martyred, and two others were injured in cross-border firing allegedly by the Afghan forces, sources told Dawn.

The attack took place at the Ghulam Khan border in Waziristan.

According to sources, the Pakis­tani forces retaliated to the attack.

The martyred and wounded security officials were shifted to a hospital in Miramshah.

The border was later closed for vehicular movement, sources added.

The country has lately witnessed a sharp uptick in the number of attacks targeting security forces, other law enforcement agencies, and security checkpoints, particularly in Balochistan and KP.

Attacks escalated after the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan broke a ceasefire agreement with the government in 2022 and vowed to target security forces.

Pazir Gul in North Waziristan also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 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...