RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Saturday said the time has come for the world to facilitate regional peace in South Asia and join Pakistan in the fight against terrorism.
Gen Bajwa said this in a statement after 10 Pakistani soldiers were martyred in two separate terrorist attacks in Balochistan province and in North Waziristan tribal district from across the Pak-Afghan border.
The army chief saluted the martyrs who laid down their lives and condoled with the bereaved families.
“Salute to martyrs & families. We shall ensure defence & security of motherland at the cost of our sweat & blood,” the army chief said in a statement.
“These are dying efforts of frustrated inimical forces while Pakistan moves from stability to enduring peace. It’s time for the world to facilitate regional peace,” he added.
Prime Minister Imran Khan also saluted the armed forces personnel who, he said, “continue to lay down their lives fighting terrorists to keep the nation safe”.
“I salute our armed forces personnel who continue to lay down their lives fighting terrorists to keep the nation safe. My condolences & prayers go to the families of the 10 brave soldiers, including an officer, martyred fighting terrorists in North Waziristan & Balochistan today,” he said.
The latest military casualties come days after Pakistani civilian and military leaders, led by Prime Minister Imran Khan, discussed the regional security situation with their American counterparts in Washington.
“We have had 15 years of fighting this war on terror. Over 70,000 Pakistani casualties. Over $150 billion lost to the economy. So, we desperately want peace,” Prime Minister Imran had said.
“The US leadership acknowledged contributions of Pakistan Army in war against terrorism and role towards Afghan peace process,” the ISPR said following the army chief’s meeting with his US counterparts at the Pentagon.
A young army officer was among the 10 soldiers martyred during the two separate terrorist attacks on Saturday.
The first incident took place in North Waziristan tribal district where six Pakistan Army soldiers were martyred when terrorists opened fire on them from across the Pak-Afghan border.
The soldiers were on regular duty patrolling the border near Gurbaz area of North Waziristan near the Pak-Afghan border when the terrorists targeted them. The martyred included Havaldar Khalid, Sepoy Naveed, Sepoy Bachal, Sepoy Ali Raza, Sepoy M Babar, Sepoy Ahsan, the ISPR said.
In the other incident, four security personnel including an officer were martyred when terrorists opened fire on Frontier Corps (FC) Balochistan troops near Turbat of the province.
According to the ISPR, the attack took place when the FC Balochistan troops were carrying out a combing and sensitisation operation between Hushab and Turbat area.
The four martyred personnel includes Captain Aqib, Sepoy Nadir, Sepoy Atif Altaf and Sepoy Hafeezullah, the ISPR said.
Following the deadly attacks, Director-General ISPR Major-General Asif Ghafoor said hostile forces were attempting to destabilise Balochistan province now that Pakistani forces had improved the security situation in the tribal areas.
The martyrdom of the soldiers is “the sacrifice Pakistan (is) making for peace in the region”, the DG ISPR said in a tweet.
“While security of tribal areas has been improved with efforts now focused to solidify border, inimical forces are attempting to destabilise Balochistan,” he said.
