RAWALPINDI:
Thirteen servicemen were martyred and three civilians – two children and a woman – injured in a suicide attack targeting a military convoy in North Waziristan tribal district on Saturday as the army chief vowed to relentlessly pursue terrorists and unmask the “true perpetrator of terrorism in the region”.
“A vehicle-borne suicide bomber attempted to detonate himself near the security forces’ convoy but was intercepted by the leading group, foiling his nefarious design,” the military’s media wing, the ISPR, said in a statement.
“However, in their desperation, an explosive-laden vehicle was rammed into one of the vehicles of the leading group by the Indian-sponsored Kharjis,” it added. “As a result, 13 brave sons of the soil embraced shahadat.”
Three innocent civilians – two children and a woman – were also severely injured in the cowardly attack which, according to the ISPR, was “planned and orchestrated by the terrorist state of India through its proxy Fitna al Khawarij.”
Following the deadly attack, security forces launched a sanitisation operation in the area. “During the ensuing exchange of fire, 14 terrorists were killed,” the ISPR said, adding that the operation was still ongoing to eliminate any remaining threats.
The ISPR identified the martyrs as Subedar Zahid Iqbal, 45 and resident of Karak; Havildar Sohrab Khan, 39 and resident of Naseerabad; Havildar Mian Yousaf, 41 and resident of Buner; Naik Khitab Shah, 34 and resident of Lower Dir; Lance Naik Ismail, 32 and resident of Naseerabad; Sepoy Rohail, 30 and resident of Mirpurkhas; Sepoy Muhammad Ramzan, 33 and Dera Ghazi Khan; Sepoy Nawab, 30 and resident of Quetta; Sepoy Zubair Ahmed, 24 and resident of Naseerabad; Sepoy Muhammad Sahki, 31 and resident of Dera Ghazi Khan; Sepoy Hashim Abbasi, 20 and resident Abbottabad; Sepoy Muddasir Ejaz, 25 and resident of Layyah; and Sepoy Manzar Ali, 23 and resident of Mardan.
The ISPR stated that the injured civilians were provided immediate medical assistance, and further updates on their condition would follow. “The security forces of Pakistan, along with the nation, remain resolute in their determination to eliminate terrorism from the country,” it said, adding that the sacrifices of soldiers and civilians “further reinforce our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation at all costs.”
A lesser-known Aswadul Harb terrorist group claimed responsibility for the brazen assault in Dandi Dir Dawani village of Mir Ali tehsil and identified the attacker as Abdullah. The attack occurred at 7.45am at a time when a curfew was imposed in the area due to military movement, according to sources.
Aswadul Harb is affiliated with the Hafiz Gul Bhadur terrorist group which has also carried out similar mass-causality attacks in the past. The HGB, which is an affiliate of the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), is operating from its safe havens inside the eastern Khost province of Afghanistan.
Field Marshal and army chief Syed Asim Munir – who attended the martyrs’ funeral at Bannu garrison and visited the injured at the CMH – vowed to relentlessly pursue and bring to justice all facilitators, abettors, and perpetrators of terrorism.
The army chief received a detailed briefing at the Corps Headquarters Peshawar on the prevailing security situation and ongoing counterterrorism operations.
He paid rich tribute to the “unwavering courage and resilience of Pakistan’s security forces, who continue to confront and neutralise the Indian-sponsored Fitna al-Khawarij with exemplary valour,” the ISPR stated. “He reaffirmed that the people of Pakistan stand united in their resolve to eradicate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, until the threat is decisively eliminated from the country.”
Reiterating the state’s uncompromising stance, Gen Munir vowed that all facilitators, abettors, and perpetrators of terrorism will be relentlessly pursued and brought to justicewithout exception and at all costs and face of true perpetrator of terrorism in the region will be exposed to the entire world.
He assured the nation that the blood of every innocent Pakistani shall always be avenged, and any attempt to undermine Pakistan’s internal stability will be met with swift and decisive retribution.
The field marshal also emphasised the critical need for institutional capacity enhancement of civilian law enforcement agencies, particularly the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police. He urged relevant government stakeholders to prioritise these efforts, while reaffirming the army’s continued support in building and augmenting the capabilities of law enforcement institutions.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday strongly condemned the terrorist attack on a convoy of security forces in North Waziristan.
The president in his message paid tribute to 13 brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the operation and added the martyrs ensured the security of the motherland by sacrificing their lives, he added.
“The nation will never forget the sacrifices of its martyrs”, he said, adding, “Those who sacrificed their lives in the path of defending the homeland are our real heroes.”
He said, “Such a cowardly attack cannot dampen the morale of the nation.”
He also appreciated the security forces for killing 14 Khawarij in North Waziristan. “Pakistani nation and security forces are determined to root out Indian-sponsored terrorism,” he remarked.
The president prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured civilians, children and women. “May Allah Almighty elevate the ranks of the martyrs and grant patience to their families,” he said adding, “Security forces operations will continue until terrorism is completely eradicated.”
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while strongly condemning the attack, paid tribute to the martyred soldiers.
He expressed grief over the injury of innocent civilians in the terrorist attack. He prayed for the elevation of the ranks of the martyrs and expressed condolences to their families.
The prime minister appreciated the security forces for killing 14 Khawarij terrorists during the operation. He said the Indian-backed terrorists committed a cowardly act, adding, “The entire nation salutes the martyrs.”
He said, “We are determined to completely eradicate all forms of terrorism from the country.”
