Two Pakistan Army personnel were martyred including six terrorists killed in exchange in the Mir Ali area of North Waziristan, reported Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Thursday.
The clash occurred during an intelligence-based operation on the hideouts of terrorists on the night of January 29th-30. During the operation, Pakistani troops engaged with militants eliminating six terrorists.
The martyred soldiers were identified as Major Hamza Israr, 29, from Rawalpindi, who was leading his troops in the operation, and Sepoy Muhammad Naeem, 26, from Naseerabad. Both men were recognized for their courage and ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
Following the clash, security forces launched a sanitization operation in the area to eliminate any remaining terrorists.
President Asif Ali Zardari praised the security forces for eliminating six terrorists and paid tribute to the martyred soldiers.
A day before the attack, security forces successfully thwarted the attack on the checkpost in Qila Abdullah District in Balochistan.
The terrorists attempted to breach the perimeter using an explosive-laden vehicle after their initial assault was repelled, according to a statement by the ISPR.
A surge in terrorist attacks has been recorded in the past few months. The security forces of Pakistan are bravely responding to these attacks. Several Pakistan Army soldiers have laid their lives to protect the country.
Read more: PAF ranked among Top 10 most powerful Air Forces globally
Pakistan Army was declared the ninth most powerful army in the world in 2024. However, for 2025 Pakistan Army has dropped to the 12th spot.
Pakistan has jumped swiftly in the rankings in the past few years. Pakistan was ranked at the 15th spot and moved 7th spot. Global Firepower has been publishing Military Strength Rankings since 2006. Every year it ranks the militaries of all the countries based on potential war-making capabilities.
In 2022, Pakistan Army was the 9th most powerful Army in the world according to the latest rankings. It was ranked 9th spot out of 140 countries in the annual Global Firepower Index. The gradual increase in the rankings of the Pakistan Army indicates an improvement in its professional and military might.