QUETTA: An army major and a havaldar emb­raced martyrdom in a heavy exchange of fire between armed militants and security forces, during an operation conducted in Zhob, in the early hours of Monday morning.

In a statement issued here by the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations said that five suspected militants were killed in the gun battle with the terrorists, while officials said arms and ammunition were recovered.

ISPR said security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in the general area of Sambaza in Zhob district, on the reported presence of terrorists on the night between October 8 and 9.

During the operation, the militants were surrounded. Five of them were eliminated during an intense exchange of fire, it said.

Leading the operation from the front, Major Syed Ali Raza Shah, 31, who hailed from Sargodha, and Havaldar Nisar Ahmed, 38, a resident of Vehari district, fought gallantly and paid the ultimate sacrifice by embracing martyrdom, according to the ISPR.

“Security forces of Pakistan are indebted [to] & proud of our brave men and pay homage to their chivalry and sacrifices for the motherland, which further strengthens our resolve to uproot the menace of terrorism from the country,” the statement added.

The military said sanitisation of the surrounding areas was being conducted to purge it from terrorists.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2023