ISPR says 16 soldiers martyred in gunbattle with terrorists in South Waziristan

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Sixteen Pakistan Army soldiers were martyred while thwarting terrorists’ bid to attack a security check post in South Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the military’s media wing said on Saturday.

On the night between December 20-21, a group of terrorists attempted to attack security forces check post in general area Makeen in the tribal district, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

It said the attempt was effectively thwarted by troops and in ensuing fire exchange, “eight khwarij [terrorists] were sent to hell”. “However, during intense fire exchange, sixteen brave sons of soil, having fought gallantly embraced shahadat.”

The ISPR said sanitisation operation was launched in the area and the perpetrators of the heinous act will be brought to justice.

“Security forces of Pakistan are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave men further strengthen our resolve.”

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack by terrorists on a security check post in the Makeen area of South Waziristan district.