Major among three martyred in gun battles

NORTH WAZIRISTAN/KHYBER: Three military personnel, including an officer, were martyred in separate attacks in North Waziristan and Khyber districts, according to the military’s media wing.

A statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Friday that two security personnel, including a major, were martyred during an intelligence-based operation in Miramshah area of North Waziristan.

The operation was being carried out on the basis of intelligence reports about the presence of militants in the area.

As personnel closed in on the location, “a party of terrorists was spotted and intercepted”.

In the ensuing exchange of fire, Major Amir Aziz, who was leading the operation, was martyred along with a sepoy, the ISPR added.

Major Aziz, 29, was a resident of Sargodha while sepoy Mohammad Arif, 27, hailed from Sahiwal district.

One terrorist was killed, while another was injured during the operation.

A sanitisation operation was being carried out in the area to eliminate remaining terrorists, said the ISPR statement.

In Khyber, a security official was martyred and a militant was killed in an exchange of fire in Tirah valley, the ISPR said.

The statement added that the exchange of fire took place between security forces and militants on the night between Thursday and Friday.

The forces “effectively engaged the militants” at a hideout and gunned down one of them.

The deceased remained actively involved in militant activities against security forces and killing of innocent civilians, according to the statement.

The martyred soldier was identified as 36-year-old Havildar Muntazir Shah, a resident of Swabi district.