NORTH WAZIRISTAN: Four soldiers were martyred and another four injured in an attack on a post in the border district on Thursday, officials said.

According to Inter-Services Public Relations, a group of terrorists from Afghanistan attempted to infiltrate into Pakistani territory in the Hassan Khel area of North Waziristan, but “due to a timely response by troops at the border post, the infiltration attempt was foiled.”

According to officials, when were trying to cross the border, the terrorists opened fire on the troops, who returned fire. An exchange continued for some time, forcing the intruders to flee.

They said the fleeing terrorists suffered heavy losses.

The martyred soldiers were identified as Lance Havaldar Wajahat Alam, Sepoy Maqbool Hayat (from Ghizer), Sepoy Sajjid lnayat from Sheikhupura and Sepoy Sajjid Ali from Sakrdu.

The bodies and the injured were shifted to a military hospital in Bannu district.

The officials said after the attack, security forces launched a search operation in the area.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.

Datakhel tehsil of North Waziristan is one of the most volatile areas which has so far not been cleared of terrorists.

Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2022