Two soldiers martyred in Balochistan terrorist attack

RAWALPINDI: Two Pakistan Army soldiers were martyred when unidentified terrorists raided a post of security forces in Harnai area of Balochistan on Saturday night, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement.

According to the military’s media wing, “On [the] night [of] 13/14 August 22, terrorists fire raided a security forces post in general area Khost, near Harnai, Balochistan.”

The security forces successfully repulsed the distant fire raid and pursued the fleeing terrorists into the nearby mountains, it said, adding: “As a follow-up, during an encircling effort to cut off fleeing terrorists, a heavy exchange of fire took place between terrorists and a security forces patrol as well”.

During the exchange of fire, two soldiers, Naik Atif and sepoy Qayyum embraced martyrdom, while Major Umer received injuries, the ISPR said.

It added substantial losses were also incurred to the terrorists during the clash,

“At the eve of 75th Independence Day, security forces, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart attempts at sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan,” the statement added.

In an earlier statement, the ISPR said two soldiers of the Pakistan Army were martyred in a blast in Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In a brief statement, the military’s media wing said the explosion occurred in the Barawal area of Dir. The martyred soldiers were identified as Sajid Ali and Adnan Mumtaz, both of whom belonged to Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

“[The] Pakistan Army is determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers will not go unpunished,” it added.