Four Pakistani soldiers martyred in operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

The incident comes as Operation Khyber-4, launched under Operation Raddul Fasaad (RuF) by the Pakistan Army in the Rajgal Valley area of Khyber Agency, gains momentum.

Incidents of terrorism in Pakistan have shown a drop over the three-year period from 2014-2017, the ISPR had announced earlier.

Since the launch of Operation RuF, the army has launched 46 major operations in the country and over 9,000 IBOs.
About 1,760 joint checkposts have been established in coordination with police and other law enforcement agencies.

Major Ali Salman, who belonged to an intelligence agency, along with his team carried out an intelligence-based operation (IBO) against a terrorist hideout in Sherotkai area of Timergara in Lower Dir.

When the security personnel raided the hideout, the suspected militants opened fire on the soldiers. One of the two suicide bombers present inside the hideout then blew himself up, while the other was killed in the exchange of fire with soldiers.

One terrorist was apprehended during the operation, the ISPR statement said.

The martyred officer and soldiers were identified as Maj Ali Salman, Havaldar Ghulam Nazir, Havaldar Akhtar and Sepoy Abdul Karim.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi expressed his grief over martyrdom of the army personnel, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.

"Each drop of blood of our heroes is a testament to the fact that we all are united as a nation to cleanse our beloved motherland from terrorist elements," Abbasi said.

The incident comes as Operation Khyber-4, launched under Operation Raddul Fasaad (RuF) by the Pakistan Army in the Rajgal Valley area of Khyber Agency, gains momentum.

Incidents of terrorism in Pakistan have shown a drop over the three-year period from 2014-2017, the ISPR had announced earlier.

Since the launch of Operation RuF, the army has launched 46 major operations in the country and over 9,000 IBOs.

About 1,760 joint checkposts have been established in coordination with police and other law enforcement agencies.