GHALANAI: A major and a sepoy were martyred while another security man was injured when an improvised explosive device (IED) went off near Gursal Gate along the border with Afghanistan in Baizai tehsil of Mohmand tribal district on Friday, security sources said.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations, a squad headed by the officer was supervising fencing work on the border in an area comprising a critical infiltration route. Two members of the squad lost their lives in the blast caused by the IED planted by terrorists from across the border.

The martyred officer was identified as Major Adeel Shahid. Sepoy Sarfaraz Hussain was also martyred, while Sepoy Gulfam Khan injured. The injured was airlifted to the Combined Military Hospital in Peshawar for treatment.

Maj Adeel married the widow of a martyred captain, Mujahid, who had laid down his life during operation Zarb-i-Azb in North Waziristan tribal district. A daughter was born to Ms Saliha and Capt Mujahid after his death.

Maj Adeel adopted the child when he married her mother. He had twin babies from Ms Saliha in 2017.

Gursal Gate was built by Pakistan for trade. The route was closed nine years ago when some drivers were shot dead across the border and their trucks set on fire by militants.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the IED blast.

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2019