- IBO carried out in Daraban area of DI Khan, says ISPR.
- Major Sibtain leads the troops, embraces martyrdom.
- Weapons, ammunition recovered from terrorists.
RAWALPINDI: An Army officer was martyred during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan in which seven Indian proxy terrorists were eliminated, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Thursday.
The IBO, the army’s media wing said, was carried out on October 8 in the Daraban region following information about the presence of terrorists.
In the operation that continued, marked by heavy exchanges of fire, Major Sibtain Haider of the Pakistan Army “who led his troops from the front, after fighting valiantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice” and embraced martyrdom.
The martyred officer was 30 years old and a resident of Quetta district.
Reacting to the development, President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to martyred Major Sibtain and said the officer had “set a great example by sacrificing his life for the defense of the country”.
In a separate statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also congratulated security forces for the successful operation against Fitna al-Khawarij.
The Prime Minister paid tribute to the officers and personnel of the security forces for their courage and professionalism, and particularly congratulated Major Sibtain.
“The entire nation, including me, is proud of the courageous officers and soldiers of our armed forces, who remain committed day and night to the defense of the country,” the Prime Minister said in a statement.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also reaffirmed the determination of the government and the nation to continue the fight against terrorism until the complete eradication of this menace from the country.
“The entire nation stands with the armed forces and supports their unwavering commitment to protect the homeland,” he added.
Meanwhile, while the disinfection operation was underway to eliminate any other Fitna al-Khawarij in the area, weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the terrorists who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against security forces and law enforcement as well as the killing of innocent civilians.
The IBO comes a day after the ISPR said two army officers and nine soldiers embraced martyrdom during an IBO in Orakzai district of KP.
During the operation, 19 terrorists were also killed after effective engagement of troops.
The martyred officers were identified as Lt Col Junaid Tariq, 39, and Major Tayyab Rahat, 33, both residents of Rawalpindi.
A day earlier, at its 272nd Corps Commanders’ Conference (CCC), the Pakistan Army reaffirmed its commitment to neutralizing Indian-sponsored terrorist groups, such as Fitna Al-Khawarij and Fitna Al-Hindustan, and pledged to dismantle networks that undermine state security.
The forum noted that the existing nexus between terror and criminality with direct political patronage, which seriously undermines the interests of the state and the security of its population, will no longer be allowed to continue, whatever happens.
The country reported at least 901 deaths and 599 injuries, including civilians, security personnel and terrorists, in a total of 329 incidents of violence, which also included terrorist attacks and counter-terrorism operations.
KP and Balochistan – which both share a porous border with neighboring Afghanistan – have been worst hit by terrorist incidents, accounting for more than 96% of the total violence across the country.
KP was the worst affected region, accounting for almost 71% (638) of the total violence-related deaths and over 67% (221) of the violence incidents, followed by Balochistan, with over 25% of the deaths (230) and incidents (85).
