TANK: A senior military officer was martyred while two terrorists were killed during an exchange of fire in Tank district, the Inter-Services Public Relations said on Monday.

The martyred officer was identified as Colonel Mujeebur Rehman who belonged to Astore district of Gilgit-Baltistan. He is survived by a widow, three sons and a daughter.

The security forces conducted an intelligence-based search operation in Granni Sheikhan to foil a “major terrorist” activity in the area.

Sources said that security forces cordoned off the area in the early hours of Monday morning and launched the search operation. Terrorists opened fire on the security forces which resulted in the martyrdom of Col Rehman.

They said that the security forces returned fire and killed two attackers on the spot. Names of the deceased terrorists could not be ascertained.

Officials said that the security forces seized weapons and ammunition from the terrorists’ hideout. The area where the operation was conducted is located adjacent to South Waziristan district.

An official claimed that the terrorists killed in the encounter wanted to attack personnel of security forces and police.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan condoled the martyrdom of Col Rehman. In a tweet from the official Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s account the prime minister said: “The whole nation recognizes the sacrifices made by the Pakistan Army and security forces. It was because of the sacrifices made by the security forces that terrorism has been wiped out from the country.”

According to our correspondent in Peshawar, the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the killing of Col Rehman in Tank district.

A banned outfit’s spokesman, Mohammad Khurassani, said in a statement that army troops raided their position on Monday.

Published in Dawn, March 10th, 2020