Two soldiers, including an army officer, were martyred when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated on their lead vehicle during an operation in Balochistan’s Harnai district, the military’s media wing reported on Thursday.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces had been deployed to secure the area following intelligence reports about terrorists plotting to attack civilians in Harnai.
Pakistan Army personnel located the terrorist hideout and engaged the militants, successfully neutralizing three of them, the statement said.
“During the operation, however, an IED exploded on the lead vehicle of the security forces. As a result, Major Muhammad Haseeb (28 years, resident of Multan), who was leading from the front, and Havildar Noor Ahmed (38 years, resident of Barkhan), both fought valiantly and embraced martyrdom,” stated the ISPR.
The ISPR added that Pakistan’s security forces, aligned with the nation, remain resolute in their commitment to counter any attempts to destabilize Balochistan’s peace and progress. The bravery and sacrifices of these soldiers reinforce our dedication.
Militancy remains a significant issue in Pakistan, with a rise in terrorist incidents, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan.
Just last week, a suicide bomber targeted a railway station in Quetta, killing at least 27 people and injuring over 60 others.
A report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) revealed that in the third quarter of 2024 (July-September), fatalities from terrorism and counter-terrorism surged by 90%, with 722 people killed and 615 wounded across 328 recorded incidents.
Almost 97% of these fatalities occurred in KP and Balochistan, marking the highest rate in a decade. Additionally, over 92% of terrorist attacks and security operations were concentrated in these provinces.
