“During the night between January 29 and 30 security forces personnel carried out an intelligence-based operation in Mirali area of North Waziristan District and targeted a hideout of the Khwarij terrorists,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement released on Thursday.

In the ensuring fierce gunbattle, the military’s media affairs wing added, six terrorists were sent to hell. During the exchange of fire Pakistan Army’s Major Hamza Israr and Sepoy Muhammad Naeem were martyred while fighting gallantly.

Martyred 29-year-old Major Hamza Israr was a resident of Rawalpindi District and he served the Army for nine years while 26-year-old Sepoy Naeem was a resident of Naseerabad District and served the Army for six years, it said.

A sanitization operation was carried out to clear the Mirali area of Khwariji terrorists and their facilitators, it said.

The ISPR statement reaffirmed Pakistan’s determination to eradicate terrorism, emphasising that the sacrifices of brave soldiers like Major Hamza further strengthened the country s resolve to eliminate the menace of terrorism.

Rich tribute was paid by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to the security forces for their bravery in eliminating Fitna-ul-Khawarij terrorists during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in North Waziristan District.

The president and prime minister paid homage to Major Hamza Israr and Sepoy Muhammad Naeem who embraced martyrdom while valiantly confronting the Khawarij terrorists during the operation, the President’s and Prime Minister’s Office in separate news releases said.

They praised the bravery and patriotism of Major Hamza Israr Shaheed and Sepoy Muhammad Naeem Shaheed and expressed heartfelt grief over the martyrdom of the two valiant sons of the soil.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also paid a heartfelt tribute to Major Hamza Israr and Soldier Muhammad Naeem, who embraced martyrdom while bravely confronting extremist terrorists in North Waziristan.

Expressing solidarity with the families of the martyrs, Naqvi assured them of the nation’s unwavering support. “We stand with the families of the martyrs in this difficult time,” he stated.