A landmine explosion near a security forces vehicle during a clearance operation in the Sherbandi area of Kech district on Monday left five soldiers martyred, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

Five Indian-backed terrorists were also killed in the operation.

Landmine explosion during clearance

According to ISPR, the blast occurred while security forces were conducting a clearance operation in Sherbandi. The operation was aimed at rooting out terrorist hideouts in the area.

The explosion struck a security forces vehicle, claiming the lives of five soldiers.

Identities of martyred soldiers

The martyred personnel include:

Captain Waqar Ahmad, 25, of Loralai
Naik Asmatullah, 35, of Dera Ghazi Khan
Lance Naik Junaid Ahmad, 29, of Sukkur
Lance Naik Khan Muhammad, 29, of Mardan
Sepoy Muhammad Zahoor, 28, of Swabi

A sanitization operation is currently underway to eliminate remaining terrorist elements in the area.

Sacrifice and resolve

ISPR emphasized that the sacrifices of Pakistan’s brave officers and soldiers further strengthen the military’s resolve to rid the country of terrorism.

“Security forces are determined to work hand in hand with the nation to eliminate Indian-sponsored terrorism,” the statement said.

Over the last week alone, Pakistan has lost at least 19 soldiers in separate military operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Seven soldiers of the Pakistan Army embraced martyrdom during an exchange of fire with Indian-backed terrorists in the Lal Qila Maidan area of Lower Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the forces were conducting an intelligence-based operation.

Also Read: 35 TTP terrorists killed, 12 soldiers martyred in KP IBOs

Ten Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists, backed by India, were also killed during the operation, ISPR reported on September 13. The operation was launched following reports of terrorist presence in the region.

Earlier, between September 10 and 13, the security forces carried out intensive operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, neutralising 35 terrorists linked to the Indian-backed outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). According to ISPR, 12 soldiers paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending the motherland.

The first operation was conducted in Bajaur district following intelligence reports about the presence of militants. During the engagement, security forces confronted the terrorists and successfully neutralised 22 of them after an intense exchange of fire.

Also Read: 7 soldiers martyred, 10 terrorists killed in Lower Dir operation

In a separate encounter in South Waziristan, 13 more terrorists were eliminated. These individuals were actively involved in terrorist activities in the region, and security forces recovered weapons and ammunition from the site.

During these operations, 12 Pakistan Army personnel were martyred. The ISPR also said intelligence confirms the involvement of Afghan nationals in these attacks.