4 Soldiers Embrace Martyrdom, 5 Militants Eliminated in South Waziristan Operation: ISPR

Published at: November 7, 2024 5:02 PM

Updated at: November 8, 2024 10:42 AM

Security forces eliminated five terrorists in an exchange of fire in South Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while four soldiers were martyred in the operation, the military’s media wing reported Thursday.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that during an intense firefight in South Waziristan, four valiant soldiers—Naib Subedar Taib Shah (38), Lance Naik Gulab Zaman (30), Lance Naik Muzammil Mehmood (30), and Lance Naik Habibullah (28)—heroically embraced martyrdom.

Following the encounter, security forces launched a clearance operation to eliminate any remaining militants in the area, according to the ISPR. The military reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating terrorism, emphasizing that “such sacrifices by our brave soldiers only strengthen our resolve.”

In a move earlier this year, the government designated the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as *Fitna al Khawarij*, instructing all institutions to use the term *khariji* (outcast) for those perpetrating terrorist attacks against Pakistan. This comes amid a recent surge in assaults targeting security forces, law enforcement, and checkpoints, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The increase in violence follows the TTP’s decision to abandon a tenuous ceasefire with the government in 2022, pledging renewed attacks on security forces. Last week, on November 2, four terrorists were neutralized in an intelligence-led operation in South Waziristan. On November 4, further operations saw security forces eliminate seven terrorists—one in Balochistan and six in two separate operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.