A soldier embraced martyrdom while seven others sustained injuries when a military vehicle came under attack in the Sur Narai area, near Pash Zyarat, en route to Razmak in South Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday, security sources said.
According to the sources, the incident occurred when armed Khawarij opened fire on the moving vehicle along the mountainous route linking Sur Narai to Pash Zyarat, a stretch frequently used by security forces in the area. The injured personnel were rushed to a nearby medical facility where one of them succumbed to his injuries.
In the immediate retaliatory action, security forces engaged the attackers, killing two Khawarij and injuring three others. The injured assailants managed to flee, taking advantage of the rugged terrain. Following the clash, additional contingents of security forces were dispatched to the site to launch a comprehensive search and clearance operation.
The identity of the slain and injured Khawarij is being ascertained. Security officials believe the perpetrators are linked to groups involved in recent attacks targeting security personnel in the region.
South Waziristan, part of the merged tribal districts, has witnessed a surge in attacks by Khawarij in recent months, prompting intensified security operations to eliminate their presence. Officials reiterated that such acts would not deter the resolve of the armed forces to restore lasting peace in the area.
