RAWALPINDI:
Four security personnel embraced martyrdom when an attempt by terrorists to attack a security forces camp was foiled in Boya area of North Waziristan district, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Friday.
“On December 19, in a heinous and cowardly terrorist act, Khwarij, belonging to Indian representative Fitna al Khwarij, attacked the security forces camp, in the general area of Boya, North Waziristan district.”
Fitna al Khawarij is a term the state uses to refer to terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.
Army media added that the terrorists “attempted to breach the security perimeter, but their nefarious plans were quickly thwarted by the vigilant and determined response of their own troops.”
The terrorists then rammed a vehicle loaded with explosives “into [the] outer perimeter wall, causing its collapse and considerable damage to adjacent civil infrastructure, including a mosque.
The ISPR claimed that the car bomb attack caused damage to nearby houses and other structures and inflicted “serious injuries to fifteen local civilians, including innocent children and women.”
Showing unwavering courage and professional excellence, his own troops engaged the intruders with precision and as a result, the four Khwarij belonging to the Indian representative, Fitna al Khwarij, were sent to hell.
“However, during the intense exchanges of fire, four brave sons of the soil, Havildar Muhammad Waqas (age: 42 years, resident of Kotli district), Naik Khanwaiz (age: 38 years, resident of Mansehra district), sepoy Sufyan Haider (age: 25 years, resident of Vehari district) and sepoy Riffat (age: 32 years, resident of Leyyah district), having fought valiantly, they made the ultimate sacrifice and embraced each other,” the ISPR said.
The military further said that the “appalling” act of terrorism was planned and orchestrated by Khwarij based in Afghanistan and “contrasts with claims made by the Afghan Taliban regime, which claims the non-presence of these terrorist groups operating from its soil.”
Registered protest
Pakistan on Friday condemned in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attack on a military camp in North Waziristan district, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the attack was carried out by Khwarij, belonging to the Kharji Gul Bahadur group, and was launched from Afghan soil. To convey Pakistan’s serious concerns, the deputy head of the Afghan mission was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs in Islamabad.
During the meeting, Pakistan expressed serious concern over what it described as continuous support and facilitation provided by the Afghan Taliban regime to the FAK/TTP. The Foreign Ministry said such support had enabled the group to carry out repeated terrorist attacks against Pakistani military personnel and civilians, particularly along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and in adjacent areas.
The Ministry of External Affairs underlined that the permissive environment enjoyed by the FAK/TTP inside Afghanistan was in clear contradiction with Afghanistan’s international commitments as well as the assurances given to Pakistan that Afghan soil would not be used against any other country, including Pakistan.
Pakistan demanded a full investigation into the attack in North Waziristan and called for decisive action against both perpetrators and facilitators involved in launching terror attacks from Afghan territory. The Afghan Taliban regime was urged to take immediate, concrete and verifiable measures against all terrorist groups operating from its territory, including measures against their leaders.
The administration also highlighted the need for Afghan authorities to deny the continued use of Afghan territory for terrorism against Pakistan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated that the persistence of such attacks posed a serious threat to Pakistan’s national security and undermined efforts to maintain peace and stability along the shared border.
In a categorical message, the Afghan Taliban regime was informed that Pakistan reserves the right to defend its sovereignty and protect its citizens. The statement said Pakistan would take all necessary measures to respond to terrorism originating from Afghan soil.
The Foreign Ministry said Pakistan expected Afghan authorities to honor their stated commitments and ensure that militant groups did not use Afghan territory to plan or carry out attacks against Pakistan. Islamabad emphasized that effective and verifiable action by the Afghan side was essential to address Pakistan’s security concerns and prevent further loss of life.
The press release concluded by reaffirming Pakistan’s determination to safeguard its people and territory, while holding those responsible for cross-border terrorism accountable.
