A gun and bomb attack by terrorists on a security checkpost in the Mir Ali area of North Waziristan, near the border with Afghanistan was repulsed by the military early on Saturday. However, at least seven soldiers embraced martyrdom in the attack.
According to a statement issued by the military's media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the group of terrorists attempted to infiltrate the checkpost.
However, when that attempt was foiled, an explosives-laden vehicle was rammed into the main checkpost building, followed by multiple suicide bombings.
The resultant explosions caused a section of the building to collapse, fatally trapping at least five soldiers under the rubble. The soldiers that were trapped under the rubble were identified as Havildar Sabir (a resident of Khyber Tribal District), Naik Khurshid (a resident of Lakki Marwat), Sepoy Nasir (a resident of Peshawar), Sepoy Raja (a resident of Kohat) and Sepoy Sajjad (a resident of Abbottabad).
Troops of the Frontier Corps deputed at the checkpost launched a counterattack in the form of a clearance operation, which was led by 39-year-old Lieutenant Colonel Syed Kashif Ali.
In the ensuing intense exchange of fire, Lt Col Ali (resident of Karachi) and 23-year-old Captain Muhammad Ahmed Badar (resident of Talagang) fell fighting the terrorists.
The checkpost was cleared, and the military re-established control after all six attackers were killed.
A search and 'sanitization' operation was launched in the vicinity of the checkpost to trace any other terrorist lying in wait.
The military said that as security forces of Pakistan, they are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country, and such sacrifices of brave soldiers further strengthen their resolve.