PESHAWAR/LAKKI MARWAT: Four security personnel were martyred and five militants were killed in an exchange of fire in South Waziristan tribal district on Thursday, the military’s media wing said.

A statement issued by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the exchange of fire took place in Karama area of the district which was effectively managed by the security forces.

It however added that during intense exchange of fire, four security personnel including 38-year-old Naib Subedar Taib Shah from Tank, 30-year-old Lance Naik Gulab Zaman and 30-year-old Lance Naik Muzammil Mehmood from Karak and 28-year-old Lance Naik Habibullah from Orakzai tribal district, having fought gallantly, embraced Shahadat.

The statement also said that sanitisation operation was being conducted to eliminate any other militant in the area. It added that the security forces were determined to wipe out the menace of militancy and such sacrifices of the brave soldiers further strengthened their resolve.

Meanwhile, the police repulsed a militant attack on a police post in Mazanga area of Bannu on Thursday.

A police official said that unknown miscreants attacked the post with automatic weapons in a bid to breach it but the policemen deployed there retaliated effectively.

He said the exchange of fire between the law enforcers and assailants continued for some time.

“Reinforcement led by Regional Police Officer Imran Shahid and DPO Ziauddin Ahmed and assisted by armoured personnel carrier vehicles also reached the area to counter the attack effectively,” he maintained.

He said the cops fought bravely and forced the assailants to flee. The official said that the policemen remained unhurt in the attack.

Also on Thursday, a bomb went off with a bang in the Bakkakhel area of Bannu.

The official said that unknown miscreants had planted a bomb near the building of a government degree college in the rural area.

He said the blast did not cause any major damage to the college building.

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2024