In a devastating incident in North Waziristan district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 13 Pakistan Army soldiers were martyred when a vehicle filled with explosives, belonging to Indian-sponsored terrorists, struck a security forces convoy. This information was released in a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Saturday.
The military’s media wing detailed that a suicide bomber in a vehicle attempted to detonate himself against a security forces convoy. The leading element of the convoy successfully intercepted the bomber, thwarting his initial destructive plan. However, in their desperation, the ISPR stated that the “Indian-sponsored kharjis” then deliberately rammed the explosive-laden vehicle into one of the lead vehicles of the convoy.
As a tragic consequence, 13 brave soldiers embraced martyrdom. The barbaric attack also resulted in severe injuries to three innocent civilians, including two children and a woman.
Following the attack, security forces launched extensive sanitisation operations, during which 14 terrorists were killed after an intense exchange of fire. The names of the martyred army personnel are Subedar Zahid Iqbal (45), Havildar Sohrab Khan (39), Havildar Mian Yousaf (41), Naik Khitab Shah (34), Lance Naik Ismail (32), Sepoy Rohail (30), Sepoy Muhammad Ramzan (33), Sepoy Nawab (30), Sepoy Zubair Ahmed (24), Sepoy Muhammad Sahki (31), Sepoy Hashim Abbasi (20), Sepoy Muddasir Ejaz (25), and Sepoy Manzar Ali (23).
The ISPR affirmed that operations in the area will persist to bring the perpetrators of this heinous and cowardly act to justice. The statement concluded by emphasizing that “The security forces of Pakistan, in step with the nation, remain steadfast in their resolve to eradicate Indian-sponsored terrorism from the country, and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers and innocent civilians further reinforce our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our nation at all costs.”
Pakistan has experienced an increase in terrorist incidents since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, particularly in the bordering provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Data from the Islamabad-based Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) shows a 5% rise in militant attacks in May 2025 compared to April, although overall, militant groups have largely remained contained despite regional geopolitical tensions.
