Military says six soldiers killed in clash with terrorists

By Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD: Six soldiers, including a lieutenant colonel, were killed in a gun battle with terrorists in the country’s restive northwest, the military said on Saturday.

The military’s media wing said Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Ali Shoukat, leading the troops in the encounter with militants, was among those killed in North Waziristan’s Spinwam area, bordering Afghanistan on Friday night.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the exchange of fire occurred between Oct 4-5, resulting in the killing of six Pakistani Taliban militants.

“Lt Col Muhammad Ali Shaukat was leading the operation against the khwarij when he and five soldiers were martyred as a result of intense exchange of fire,” the ISPR said.

The martyred soldiers were identified as Lance Naik Muhammad Ullah, Lance Naik Yusaf Ali, Lance Naik Shahid Ullah, Lance Naik Akhtar Zaman and Sepoy Jameel Ahmed.

“Security forces are determined to eradicate the menace of terrorism. Sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our determination.”

In a separate information-based operation, security forces killed two terrorists, including ringleader Attaullah alias Mehran, and injured another in Swat Valley’s Charbagh area.

Attaullah was involved in targeting foreign dignitaries’ convoys and other terrorist activities, the ISPR said. The injured terrorist was arrested, and a sanitization operation is underway.