RAWALPINDI:
Four security personnel embraced martyrdom when an attempt by terrorists to attack a security force 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 act of terrorism, Khwarij, who belonged to the Indian proxy Fitna al Khwarij, attacked the security forces’ camp in the Boya area of North Waziristan district.”
Fitna al Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.
The military’s media wing added that the terrorists “attempted to breach the perimeter security, but their nefarious designs were quickly foiled by the vigilant and resolute response of their own troops”.
The terrorists then hit a vehicle with explosives “on it [the] outer perimeter wall, resulting in its collapse and significant damage to adjacent civilian infrastructure, including a mosque”.
The ISPR stated that the car bomb attack caused damage to nearby homes and other structures and caused “severe injuries to fifteen local civilians, including innocent children and women”.
With unflinching courage and professional expertise, own troops engaged the intruders with precision, resulting in all four khwarij belonging to the Indian deputy, Fitna al Khwarij being sent to hell.
“But during the intense exchanges of fire, four brave sons of soil Havildar Muhammad Waqas (age: 42 years, resident of district Kotli), Naik Khanwaiz (age: 38 years, resident of district Mansehra), Sepoy Sufyan Haider (age: 25 years, resident of district Vehari) and Sepoy Riffy year resident: district 32y, and Sepoy Riffy year who has struck: gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced Shahadat,” ISPR said.
The military further said that the “heinous” act of terror was planned and orchestrated by the Afghanistan-based khwarij and “is contrary to the claims of the Afghan Taliban regime, which claims that these terrorist groups are not present operating from their soil”.
Protest registered
Pakistan strongly condemned Friday’s terror attack on an army camp in North Waziristan district, the foreign ministry said.
According to a press release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MoFA), the attack was carried out by Khwarij, who belongs to the Kharji Gul Bahadur group and was launched from Afghan soil. To convey Pakistan’s grave concerns, the Afghan deputy head of mission was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad.
During the meeting, Pakistan expressed its grave concern over what it described as continued support and facilitation provided by the Afghan Taliban regime to the FAK/TTP. The State Department said such support had enabled the group to carry out repeated terrorist attacks against Pakistani military personnel and civilians, particularly along the Pak-Afghan border and in adjacent areas.
The State Department emphasized that the permissive environment enjoyed by the FAK/TTP in Afghanistan was in clear violation of Afghanistan’s international obligations, as well as assurances given to Pakistan that Afghan soil would not be used against any other country, including Pakistan.
Pakistan demanded a full investigation into the North Waziristan attack and called for decisive action against both the perpetrators and the facilitators involved in launching terrorist attacks from Afghan territory. The Afghan Taliban regime was called upon to take immediate, concrete and verifiable action against all terrorist groups operating from its soil, including action against their leadership.
The demarche also emphasized the need for the Afghan authorities to deny the continued use of Afghan territory for terrorism against Pakistan. The State Department reiterated that continued 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 State Department said Pakistan expected the Afghan authorities to honor their stated commitments and ensure that Afghan territory was not used by militant groups 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 affirming Pakistan’s determination to protect its people and territory while holding those responsible for cross-border terrorism accountable.
