Two soldiers martyred in cross-border militant attack in Bajaur Agency
ISPR has confirmed that militants from across the border attacked a Pakistani checkpost
(Web Desk) – Two soldiers embraced martyrdom on Monday while four others injured in a cross-border militant attack on a checkpost in Bajaur Agency near Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
Media cell of the military reported that at least ten terrorists were killed in retaliation at the border. Sepoy Raham Sher and Captain Junaid Hafeez embraced martyrdom in the attack.
"Terrorists from Afghanistan side attempted attack on Pakistani posts along Pak-Afghan border in Bajaur Agency. The attempt was effectively responded killing 8-10 fleeing terrorists while many seen running back injured," ISPR reported today.
"The absence of Afghan [state] writ on [the] Afghan side of the border, like many other areas, facilitate terrorists to undertake such attempts," ISPR said.
Captain Junaid Hafeez hailed from Toba Tek Singh and was 24 years of age while Raham Sher was 27 years of age and belonged to Mardan.
"Lives of forces & citizens equally precious on both sides. Requires elimination of Ts sanctuaries in Afghanistan and effective Afghan border security," Director General (DG) of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated.
Rajgal attacks
Earlier in October, terrorists from Afghanistan side opened fire at a Pakistani border post in Rajgal and martyred one soldier.
The recently cleared area of Rajgal in Khyber Agency around Mustil Pass was targeted by Afghan-based terrorist group, ISPR had reported then. Pakistani forces at the newly established border post after Operation Khyber-IV survived the attack and retaliated to the gunshots.
Before that in September, a 22-year-old Lieutenant named Arsalan Alam embraced martyrdom in another attack on a check-post in Rajgal. Military had reported then that the young officer was freshly positioned in Rajgal.
He belonged to the Sindh Regiment and was raised in Rawalpindi.
Operation Khyber IV
Pakistan military had recently cleared the area under Operation Khyber IV, one of the army operations launched to rid Pakistan of extremism.
During aforementioned military offensive, army cleared 253 square kilometers area and flushed out 52 terrorists. Two soldiers were also martyred and 15 were injured during the operation.
The cross-border attack on the check-post in September came days after Operation Khyber IV concluded successfully.
Border fencing to check infiltration
Pakistan government had announced in 2016 to begin fencing the borders with Afghanistan to check movement between the neighbouring countries as numerous suicide attacks were traced back to handlers in Afghanistan.
Then advisor to PM on national security Sartaj Aziz had announced that proper documentation was required henceforth to cross between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Afghanistan government did not take to the fencing well and forces resorted to firing and shelling.
