A Pakistan Army major was martyred in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast during a security operation in Balochistan's Gwadar district, while security forces killed four terrorists in a separate operation in Kalat district, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Monday.
According to the military’s media wing, 34-year-old Major Wajahat Waheed, a resident of Lahore, was leading a security force component during clearance operations in the Shadi Kaur area of Pasni tehsil in Gwadar district when it was targeted by an IED.
“Major Wajahat Waheed, a son of the soil, made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty and embraced shahadat,” the ISPR said.
The military’s media wing added that intelligence agencies had reported the presence of multiple hideouts of Fitna Al Hindustan in the Shadi Kaur area of Gwadar and Jattakabad in Kalat district, posing a threat to the local population. “To safeguard the local populace and clear the area of terrorists, security forces are conducting operations in these areas,” the statement said.
In a separate operation conducted a day earlier in Jattakabad, Kalat district, security forces engaged the terrorists’ location. “During the operation, own troops effectively engaged the terrorists' location and, after an intense exchange of fire, four terrorists were sent to hell,” the ISPR said, adding that a large cache of arms and ammunition were also recovered.
The statement added that clearance operations were continuing in the Shadi Kaur area to eliminate any remaining terrorists. “Sanitisation operations will continue to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area,” the ISPR said.
“The relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam, as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, will continue at full pace,” the statement said. “Security forces and law enforcement agencies remain committed to eliminating the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” it added.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to security forces for killing the four terrorists and expressed grief over the death of Major Wajahat Waheed.
The Prime Minister’s Office, in a statement, said PM Shehbaz had paid tribute to the 34-year-old officer who embraced martyrdom in the IED blast in Pasni. “Major Wajahat Waheed sacrificed his life for the protection of our beloved homeland; the nation is proud of its brave son,” the prime minister said.
He also extended heartfelt condolences to the family of the martyred officer and prayed for the elevation of his ranks.
PM Shehbaz reiterated his resolve to continue the fight against foreign-sponsored terrorism until its complete elimination under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam approved by the Federal Apex Committee.
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