Army officer, soldier martyred in Mastung anti-terror operation
An army major and a sepoy were martyred during an intelligence-based operation in Balochistan's Mastung district, the military's media wing said on Thursday, while two law-enforcement personnel also embraced martyrdom in separate terrorist attacks in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).
The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a news release that 31-year-old brave officer Major Zeeyyad Salim Awal, who hailed from Khushab district, fought gallantly while leading his troops from the front, and embraced Shahadat along with Sepoy Nazam Hussain, 22, who hailed from Jhelum district.
According to the ISPR, security forces killed three terrorists belonging to Indian Proxy Fitna al Hindustan during the IBO in Mastung. "During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the terrorists' location and resultantly, three terrorists were sent to hell," said the news release.
"However, during the intense fire exchange, Major Zeeyyad Salim Awal (age: 31 years, resident of District Khushab), a brave officer who was leading his troops from the front, fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat along with another brave son of soil Sepoy Nazam Hussain (age: 22 years, resident of District Jhelum)," it added.
"Sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored terrorist found in the area, as the security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of Indian Sponsored Terrorism from the country, and such sacrifices of our brave men further strengthen our resolve."
In K-P, Tall Scouts Lance Naik Zafar, a resident of Kamar Dhand village of Kohat district, was martyred in a sniper attack, while an FC Jawan was martyred and two injured in a terrorist attack on their vehicle in the Bannu district.
Sources said that one terrorist was injured in the retaliatory fire from the police, who was taken away by his fellow terrorists. Police also recovered a pistol and magazine, as they started a search operation in the area.
Meanwhile, President Asif Zardari commended the security forces for eliminating three terrorists in an IBO against Fitna-tul-Hindustan in Mastung. Zardari paid tribute to Major Zeeyyad Salim Awal and Sepoy Nazam Hussain, who were martyred in the operation, and saluted them for their sacrifice.
"Major Zeeyyad Salim Awal Shaheed and Sepoy Nazam Hussain Shaheed set a new example of bravery by sacrificing their lives in defence of the motherland, Zardari said. He expressed his heartfelt sympathy with the families of the martyrs and prayed for the elevation of the ranks of the martyrs.
The president said that the sacrifices of the security forces would not go in vain. "The nation will always remember the sacrifices of its martyrs," he said. "The operation will continue until Indian sponsored terrorism is eradicated. The nation stands by its forces in eliminating terrorism."
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also paid glowing tributes to Major Zeeyyad Salim Awal and Sepoy Nazam Hussain and expressed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and praised the fallen soldiers for their unwavering courage and selfless devotion to duty.
"Major Zeeyyad Salim Awal and Sepoy Nazam Hussain displayed exceptional bravery in the line of duty and succeeded in eliminating three terrorists before making the ultimate sacrifice," the interior minister said in a statement.
Naqvi emphasised that the two soldiers laid down their lives for the security and sovereignty of the country and were granted the highest honour in the form of martyrdom. "Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. Shaheed Major Zeeyyad Salim Awal and Sepoy Nazam Hussain will live forever in our hearts."
The minister noted that the nation owed its peace and stability to the blood of its martyrs. "The entire country is proud of the supreme sacrifices rendered by our brave sons. They have written a new chapter of heroism in the fight against terrorism," he added.
Naqvi reiterated the government's firm resolve to continue the war against terrorism until the last terrorist was eliminated. He assured the families of the martyrs that the nation stood shoulder to shoulder with them in their hour of grief.
(WITH INPUT FROM OUR DERA ISMAIL KHAN CORRESPONDENT AND APP)
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