President Zardari hails courage and sacrifice of soldiers, says nation is proud of courage of its ‘valiant sons’
Five Pakistan Army soldiers, including a captain, were killed while seven Indian-sponsored terrorists were killed during an intelligence operation in Kurram district, the Army’s media wing said on Wednesday.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces carried out the operation in the general area of Dogar, Kurram district, after receiving information about the presence of terrorists belonging to the Indian proxy group Fitna al Khwarij. “During the operation, seven Indian-sponsored Khwarij were sent to hell due to the effective engagement of our troops,” the ISPR said in a statement.
He added that during an intense exchange of fire, Captain Noman Saleem, 24, a resident of Mianwali, embraced Shahadat along with five soldiers. Captain Saleem, a young military doctor, “fought valiantly in the discharge of his medical care duties,” the statement said.
The soldiers who laid down their lives have been identified as Havildar Amjad Ali (39, resident of Swabi), Naik Waqas Ahmad (36, resident of Rawalpindi), Sepoy Aijaz Ali (23, resident of Shikarpur), Sepoy Muhammad Waleed (23, resident of Jhelum), Sepoy Muhammad Shahbaz (32, resident of Khairpur).
The ISPR said a disinfection operation was underway to eliminate all remaining Indian-sponsored terrorists in the region. “The security and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan, under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam as approved by the Supreme Federal Committee on National Action Plan, will continue their relentless anti-terrorism campaign to eradicate the menace of foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country,” the statement added.
President Zardari salutes courage and sacrifice of soldiers
President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to Captain Noman Saleem and his five comrades-in-arms who were martyred during an anti-terrorism operation against terrorists in Dogar area of Kurram district.
The president praised the courage and sacrifice of the soldiers, saying the nation is proud of the courage of its “valiant sons” who gave their lives in the line of duty. “The nation is proud of the sacrifices of its brave sons,” President Zardari said, according to a statement issued by the presidency.
He praised the determination, courage and professionalism of Pakistani security forces in their fight to eradicate terrorism. “The determination, courage and professional capabilities of the security forces in eliminating terrorists are commendable,” he said.
President Zardari reiterated that the ongoing operation against Fitna al Khwarij, an India-backed terrorist network, under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam, would continue until terrorism is completely eliminated from the country.
“India-sponsored operation against Fitna-e-Khwarij under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam will continue until complete eradication of terrorism,” he said. He added that the sacrifices of the martyrs were a guarantee of national unity, security and stability of Pakistan. “The sacrifices of our martyrs are the assurance of national unity, security and stability,” the president said.
President Zardari also extended his sincere condolences to the families of the martyrs and prayed for their patience and strength.
