PNN: Two Pakistani security personnel, including Lt Col Shahzada Gul Faraz and Sepoy Karamat Shah, were martyred on Saturday during a counter-terror operation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district, the military said.
According to military’s media wing, the ISPR, the operation targeted the reported presence of terrorists from the Indian-backed group “Fitna al Khwarij,” a term authorities use for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, including a vehicle-borne suicide bomber. Security forces intercepted the bomber, preventing what it described as a major attack on civilians and law enforcement personnel in Bannu city.
The state uses “Fitna al-Khawarij” for terrorists affiliated with the TTP, while “Fitna al-Hindustan” refers to Indian-backed extremist proxies in Balochistan.
During the ensuing firefight, five terrorists were killed. However, the attackers rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into one of the lead convoy vehicles, killing Lt Col Shahzada, 43, a resident of Mansehra, and Sepoy Karamat Shah, 28, from Peshawar.
The military said terrorists continue to use Afghan soil to launch attacks inside Pakistan, criticising Afghan Taliban for failing to prevent cross-border assaults during Ramazan.
It added that Pakistan’s counter-terror campaign under the “Azm-e-Istehkam” vision, approved by the National Action Plan’s federal apex committee, would continue until foreign-backed terrorism is eliminated.
President Asif Ali Zardari condemned what he called a “cowardly terrorist attack” and expressed “deep sorrow and grief” over the martyrdom of the two soldiers. “The great sacrifice of the martyrs is the nation’s asset,” he said, offering condolences and prayers for the families.
He added, “Operations against Fitna al Khawarij will continue without discrimination and with full force; there will be no compromise on the protection of the nation,” and said terrorists who violate the sanctity of Ramazan “have nothing to do with Islam.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the attack and expressed grief over the deaths. He prayed for the departed souls and conveyed condolences to their families. Praising the troops for killing five terrorists and foiling their plans, he said, “The attempt by Fitna al Khawarij terrorists to carry out terrorism in the blessed month of Ramazan proves that terrorists have no religion.”
He added that security forces’ timely action saved the city from major destruction and said, “Under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam, security forces are achieving major successes against terrorism. The entire nation stands with Pakistan’s armed forces in this war. We are determined to completely eradicate every form of terrorism from the country.”
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi paid tribute to the fallen soldiers, saying Lt Col Shahzada “wrote a history of courage and bravery,” and added, “Salute to Shaheed Colonel Shahzada Gul Faraz and Sepoy Karamat Shah.” He said the officer sacrificed his life to foil the terrorists’ “nefarious designs” and that the nation would always remember his “great sacrifice,” adding that the country would remain indebted to its martyrs.