10 Pakistan army personnel killed in twin terror attacks

ISLAMABAD

: Ten personnel of the Pakistan armed forces, including an officer, were killed in two separate attacks in

North Waziristan

tribal district and the volatile Balochistan province, the military’s media wing said on Saturday.


The first attack took place in Gurbaz area of North Waziristan near the Durand Line, a disputed border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. “Terrorists from across the border fire raided on (a) Pakistan Army border patrolling party, killing six soldiers,” a statement released by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistan army’s media arm, read.

In the second attack, four personnel including an officer, Captain Aaqib, were killed when a contingent of Frontier Corps (FC), a Pakistani paramilitary force, was fired upon by militants during a combing operation between Hushab and Turbat, the ISPR said in a second press release.

Now that the security of tribal areas has been improved, focused on solidifying the western border, “inimical forces are attempting to destabilize Balochistan,” tweeted

Major General

Asif Ghafoor, Pakistan Army spokesperson.

Prime Minister Imran Khan paid tribute to the slain soldiers. “I salute our armed forces personnel who continue to lay down their lives fighting terrorists to keep the nation safe. My condolences & prayers go to the families of the 10 brave soldiers, including an officer, martyred fighting terrorists in North Waziristan & Balochistan today (sic),” he tweeted.

Army Chief Gen

Qamar Javed Bajwa

called the attacks “dying efforts of frustrated inimical forces while Pakistan moves from stability to enduring peace”.

The attacks came days after the Pakistani civilian and military leadership discussed the regional security situation and Afghan peace with their American counterparts.