Security forces kill seven terrorists in Chitral

Rawalpindi: Seven terrorists were killed and six others injured in an intense exchange of fire between the security forces and the militants in Ursoon area of Chitral yesterday.

According to ISPR, sanitization of the area is being carried out to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area.

Locals of the area appreciated the operation by the security forces and expressed their full support to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the country.

On Wednesday, a tragic incident unfolded as four Pakistan Army soldiers were martyred, and 12 terrorists met their demise in an attack along the Pak-Afghan border in Chitral.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) conveyed in an official statement that a sizable group of terrorists, armed with sophisticated weaponry, launched a brazen assault on two military checkpoints.

The Army's media arm revealed that intelligence had indicated the movement of terrorists in the Nuristan and Kunar provinces of Afghanistan. Prompt and decisive action by the security forces led to the elimination of 12 terrorists.

During the intense firefight, four valiant Pakistan Army soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice and were martyred.

Earlier in the day, the Caretaker Foreign Minister, Jalil Abbas Jilani, confirmed that Pakistan had formally issued a demarche to Afghanistan in response to the terrorist attack on two military posts located in Lower Chitral district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani emphasized, "Pakistan has registered a vehement protest regarding this incident. We have summoned the Afghan charge d’affaires and handed over a protest note (demarche) to him." This statement was made during a press conference held in Islamabad.

He expressed deep regret over the Chitral incident, describing it as "very unfortunate" and stressed that Pakistan was taking the recent surge in terrorism with utmost seriousness.

Minister Jilani underscored the responsibility of the Afghan government, stating that it is imperative for them to prevent attacks originating from their territory into Pakistan. He added, "It is the responsibility of the Afghan government that if attacks are occurring in Pakistan from their soil, then it should stop them."

The Caretaker Minister expressed hope that the Afghan government would take effective measures to suppress all such elements, whether it be the "Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or others."