QUETTA: An army captain was martyred during a clearance operation in Balochistan’s Kohlu district on Monday when fleeing terrorists opened indiscriminate fire at the raiding party.

According to a statement issued by military’s media wing ISPR, Captain Haider Abbas embraced martyrdom in pursuit of the terrorists during an intelligence-based operation. “As soon as troops started cordoning the area, terrorists, while fleeing the hideout, opened indiscriminate fire,” the statement said.

“A deliberate follow-up operation, however, continues in the area to deal with the perpetrators who have suffered casualties but were able to escape into nearby mountains,” it said. “Security forces’ operations to eliminate the terrorists will continue and they will not be allowed to sabotage hard-earned peace in Balochistan.”

Captain Abbas’s funeral prayers were offered in Karachi. Corps Commander Karachi Lieutenant General Mohammad Saeed attended the funeral apart from other serving officers, soldiers and relatives of the martyr. He was buried with complete military honour.

Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2022