Funeral prayers for the soldiers martyred in an exchange of fire with militants in South Waziristan were offered at Bannu Cantonment on Sunday.
The solemn ceremony was attended by Corps Commander Peshawar, senior officers of the Pakistan Army, jawans, and a large number of locals from the area.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the soldiers embraced martyrdom while foiling a major attack on a security checkpoint in the Makeen area of South Waziristan a day earlier.
The coordinated assault, attributed to Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), referred to as Khawarij militants claimed the lives of 16 security personnel, including a civilian camera technician, Waqas Ahmed, from Jamrud.
The ISPR reported that during the fierce exchange of fire, eight militants were killed. A clearance operation is ongoing to eliminate any remaining threats in the region.
The funeral prayers were held with full military honours, reflecting the nation’s deep respect for the fallen soldiers. Addressing the ceremony, senior military officials reaffirmed the army's resolve to eradicate terrorism.
“These sacrifices are a testament to our courage and determination in the ongoing war against terrorism,” read the ISPR statement.
The attack on the security checkpoint is the latest in a series of incidents targeting the armed forces in the restive region. Security forces remain vigilant, with operations intensifying against militants in South Waziristan and other tribal districts.
The ISPR emphasized that those involved in the heinous act of terrorism would be brought to justice and vowed to continue efforts to ensure peace and stability in the country.
