4 soldiers, 2 terrorists killed in clashes in NW Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: DEC. 31 – Four soldiers of the Pakistani army and two terrorists were killed in two separate clashes between security forces and insurgents in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, an army statement said on Friday.

In one of the operations, security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in the tribal district of North Waziristan, the military’s media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in the statement.

One terrorist was apprehended along with weapons and ammunition, and during an intense exchange of fire, four soldiers were killed, the statement added.

In another operation in the Tank district of the province, security forces killed two terrorists.

“Weapons and ammunition were recovered. These terrorists were involved in terrorist activities against security forces, target killing and kidnapping for ransom,” the statement added.

Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed sorrow over the killing of the four soldiers during the North Waziristan operation, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office on Friday.

Paying tribute to the valor of the soldiers, he said the Pakistani military is doing a remarkable job to eradicate militancy, and the whole nation stands with the army in this cause.

-Xinhua