MIRAMSHAH: Two soldiers embraced martyrdom while a terrorist was killed in a gunfight in the Mirali subdivision of North Waziristan Tribal District late on Saturday night.

One of the soldiers was identified as Sakum Dad. According to officials, Sakum was a resident of Abbottabad while the other soldier hailed from the Yaar Hussain area of Swabi district.

The identity of the terrorist killed in the fighting could not be ascertained.

Security forces cordoned off the area and started a search operation. However, no arrest was reported till Sunday evening.

Attacks on security forces have seen a spike in North Waziristan this month. Four soldiers were martyred when terrorists attacked a security patrol in Dattakhel Tehsil on Saturday. The terrorists lost seven of their men in the ensuing clash.

Sources said that terrorists had presence in certain pockets of Dattakhel where security forces have been frequently coming under attack.

At least 12 personnel have been martyred in clashes and improvised explosive devices this month.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2020