The funeral prayer of martyred Pakistan Army officers and soldiers was offered on Saturday. The officers embraced martyrdom in a terrorist attack in Mir Ali, North Waziristan area of Pakistan.
The attack claimed the lives of seven Pakistan military personnel including Lieutenant Colonel Syed Kashif Ali and Captain Muhammad Ahmed Badar. The funeral prayer was offered in Chaklala Garrison, Rawalpindi.
The event saw the presence of notable figures such as President Asif Ali Zardari, Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and various other high-ranking military and civilian officials. Additionally, a significant number of local residents and relatives of the fallen soldiers were also present at the ceremony.
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“Pakistan Army has consistently upheld the ideals of Faith, Unity, and Discipline and has always endeavored to set higher benchmarks of professionalism and loyalty in its unrelenting fight against terrorism,” the ISPR statement quoted the president.
In the latest development, Afghanistan’s interim government confirmed the border area of the Afghan provinces of Paktika and Khost were hit by airstrikes resulting in the casualties of eight people.
However, they have warned Pakistan of the consequences of conducting airstrikes in Afghanistan. Interim government spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid alleged that Pakistani aircraft conducted airstrikes on Afghan soil and hit the civilian population killing the lives of eight people including women and children.
According to Mujahid, the airstrikes were conducted at around 3 AM in the night. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Office and ISPR are yet to release an official statement on the matter.
The news on Pakistan’s digital media is rife regarding the Pakistan Air Force hitting the hideouts of TTP in Afghanistan.
According to news sources, the alleged attack is a retaliatory response to the attack on Pakistani forces in Mir Ali on Saturday that claimed the lives of seven Pakistani soldiers, including two officers.
Mujahid claimed: “The Pakistani side is saying that [militant] Abdullah Shah was targeted in the strikes but he lives on the Pakistani side. Members of the same tribe live on both sides and routinely move across the border.”
He stated: “The Islamic Emirate strongly condemns the attacks and describes these as non-serious actions and violation of Afghanistani territory.”