Four soldiers were martyred defending against terrorist assaults on two Pakistan Army checkpoints near the Afghanistan border in the Kalash region of Chitral district, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Wednesday.
The ISPR revealed that on September 6, 2023, heavily armed terrorists attacked two military positions close to the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in the aforementioned area. Despite the fierce assault, the soldiers held their ground, inflicting substantial casualties on the terrorists, killing 12 and severely injuring many others.
The military conveyed that it had previously alerted the interim Afghan government to the terrorists’ activity and gatherings in specific areas within Afghanistan’s Nuristan and Kunar provinces. The statement emphasized that their checkpoints were already on high alert due to the escalated threat level. Presently, operations to clear the region of any remaining terrorists are underway.
General Munir’s Response: A Nation Unbowed by Terrorist Threats
The ISPR affirmed Pakistan’s security forces’ steadfast dedication to eradicating terrorism, highlighting that such sacrifices reinforce their determination. It also appreciated the local population of Chitral for their support in maintaining peace, urging the interim Afghan government to prevent the use of its territory for terrorist activities against Pakistan.
In a related development, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir declared that the nation would not succumb to terrorist intimidation, denouncing their futile attempts to undermine the steadfast resolve of the military and the government’s authority. General Munir conveyed these sentiments during a visit to Bannu in KP following a recent attack where nine soldiers were killed in a suicide bombing near a military convoy. He pledged continued efforts against terrorism and paid tribute to the fallen soldiers, hoping their sacrifices would always be remembered.