A landmine explosion during a clearance operation in the Sherbandi area of Kech district on Monday claimed the lives of five Pakistan Army soldiers, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed. The tragic incident took place when a security forces vehicle was struck by a blast while troops were conducting an anti-terror operation to clear the region of militant hideouts.
According to ISPR, five Indian-backed terrorists were also killed during the operation. A sanitization effort is ongoing to eliminate any remaining terrorist presence in the area.
The martyred soldiers have been identified as Captain Waqar Ahmad, 25, of Loralai; Naik Asmatullah, 35, of Dera Ghazi Khan; Lance Naik Junaid Ahmad, 29, of Sukkur; Lance Naik Khan Muhammad, 29, of Mardan; and Sepoy Muhammad Zahoor, 28, of Swabi.
ISPR paid tribute to the fallen heroes, saying their sacrifices will not go in vain and that such losses further strengthen the resolve of Pakistan’s armed forces to defeat terrorism. The statement stressed that security forces remain committed, working alongside the nation, to eliminate Indian-sponsored militancy in the country.
The latest incident comes amid a surge in terrorist activity across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Over the past week alone, at least 19 Pakistan Army soldiers have embraced martyrdom in different operations. On September 13, seven soldiers lost their lives during an intelligence-based operation in the Lal Qila Maidan area of Lower Dir, where 10 Indian-backed terrorists were neutralised.
Between September 10 and 13, security forces conducted multiple operations in Bajaur and South Waziristan, killing 35 terrorists linked to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). During these encounters, 12 soldiers also laid down their lives while defending the country.
ISPR confirmed that many of the terrorists involved in recent attacks had support from across the border, with intelligence pointing to the involvement of Afghan nationals as well.
The armed forces reaffirmed that the blood of the martyrs would not be forgotten and that Pakistan would continue its fight until terrorism is completely eradicated from the soil.
