PESHAWAR: Five terrorists were killed during an exchange of fire with security forces in North Waziristan tribal district on Thursday, said Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Two soldiers were martyred in the gun battle.

The intelligence-based operation was conducted in the Datakhel area near the Afghan border, said a statement issued by the military’s media affairs wing.

Officials said that security forces cordoned off the area after receiving reports about the presence of terrorists in a compound. They said the terrorists opened fire on security forces that resulted in the martyrdom of two soldiers.

The ISPR statement said that five terrorists hiding inside the compound were also killed in the encounter. According to APP, the terrorists were planning sabotage activities when the security forces raided the compound.

Names and nationalities of the terrorists could not be ascertained.

Five terrorists planning sabotage activities were killed

The ISPR identified the martyred soldiers as Sepoy Mohammad Shamim and Sepoy Asad Khan.

Last month, two security personnel were martyred near Charkhel village of North Waziristan tribal district during an intelligence-based operation.

Thursday’s was the first incident of the year 2020. Security personnel and civilians have fallen victim to roadside IED (improvised explosive devices) blasts and targeted killings in North Waziristan despite the fact that multiple operations have been conducted in the volatile district.

The army had launched Operation Zarb-i-Azb against local and foreign militants in North Waziristan in June 2014, which was followed by Operation Raddul Fasaad.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2020