KALAYA: A major and a soldier laid down their lives in a clash in the Orakzai tribal region in which four militants were killed on Wednesday. According to officials, the clash took place during a raid on a house in the Uthmankhel area of Lower Orakzai. Troops raided the house after receiving intelligence about the presence there of suspected militants.

Militants hiding in the com­pound opened fire, leaving Maj Mudassar Sagheer and soldier Matiullah dead, the officials said and added that four militants, including their lea­der Dawar Khan, were killed in the ensuing encounter.

Published in Dawn, March 23rd, 2017