Army captain, soldier martyred in cross-border attack from Afghanistan
Army captain, soldier martyred in cross-border attack from Afghanistan
Web Desk
Pakistan

Two Pakistani servicemen – among them a captain – were martyred and four others injured in a cross-border attack by Afghanistan-based terrorists on Pakistan Army check-posts in Bajaur Agency on Monday, the military said.

Two Pakistani servicemen – among them a captain – were martyred and four others injured in a cross-border attack by Afghanistan-based terrorists on Pakistan Army check-posts in Bajaur Agency on Monday, the military said.

The assault by marauding terrorists set off a gunfight, “During the exchange of fire, brave sons of soil Capt Junaid Hafeez and Sepoy Raham embraced shahadat while four soldiers got injured,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

Pakistan troops “effectively responded” to the cross-border attack, killing 8 to 10 terrorists, while many were seen “running back injured”, the military’s media wing said.

According to the ISPR, the absence of the Afghan government’s writ in its border regions like many other areas of the country facilitates terrorists in carrying out such attacks.

Pakistani officials have repeatedly said that the Taliban terrorists, who fled a series of military operations in tribal regions, have found safe havens in northern, eastern and northeastern Afghanistan.

These Taliban terrorists use their sanctuaries as a springboard for launching cross-border attacks on Pakistani military’s border posts and on civilian population.

Kabul is reluctant to dismantle these sanctuaries despite repeated requests from Islamabad. Instead Afghanistan blames Pakistan for sheltering the Afghan Taliban.

Pakistan has started fencing its long and porous border with Afghanistan to check the movement of Taliban terrorists from Afghanistan. Kabul, however, is opposed to the fencing of border which it claims is disputed.

Interior minister salutes martyred men

Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal saluted the martyred army officers, saying “may Allah bless them and grant patience to their family… Our resolve is stronger with every sacrifice to eliminate terrorists.”