Two Pakistan Army soldiers were martyred in the Spinwam area of North Waziristan tribal district during a gunfight with terrorists, the military’s media affairs wing said on Monday.

The statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) identified the martyrs as 25-year-old Sepoy Imran Ullah from Bajaur and 21-year-old Sepoy Afzal Khan from Upper Dir.

“On 26 February, an exchange of fire took place between terrorists and security forces in the general area of Spinwam, North Waziristan district. Own troops effectively engaged the terrorists’ location,” the ISPR said.

“Resultantly, two terrorists were killed, while two terrorists were apprehended. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the terrorists,” it stated, adding that the killed terrorists remained actively involved in terror activities against security forces and innocent citizens.

The military’s media wing said sanitisation of the area was being carried out to eliminate other terrorists in the area.

“Pakistan Army is determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,” the statement concluded.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to the martyrs and extended his condolences to their families.

“Our armed forces and law enforcement agencies are an iron wall in the way of the nefarious objectives of terrorists,” he said.

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari hailed the martyrs as “brave children of the motherland”, adding that the nation would always remain indebted to them.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah regretted the incident and praised security forces for fighting terrorists with “courage and bravery”.

“The sacrifices of the martyrs will not go in vain and, God willing, the scourge of terrorism will be completely eradicated from the country soon,” he said.

The exchange of fire comes amid a surge in terrorist activities across the country, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended its ceasefire with the government in November.

On February 13, seven TTP militants were killed when cops repulsed an attack on a police van carrying three detained militants to Bannu from North Waziristan.

On Feb 3, the ISPR said two terrorists were killed during an exchange of fire between terrorists and security forces in the Esham area of the North Waziristan district.