“The nation pays rich tribute to those who have laid their lives and their sacrifices will forever be honoured,” he was quoted as saying in a press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations.

According to the military media wing, the army chief visited Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu where nine soldiers were martyred when a suicide bomber blew himself up near a military convoy in the Jani Khel area of the district.

Since the end of the ceasefire deal with an outlawed terrorist group, Pakistan has faced an increase in terrorist attacks. The banned outfit in November 2022 ordered its men to stage nationwide attacks.

Earlier this month, the army chief after meeting tribal elders from the newly merged districts of KP stated that Pakistan would only negotiate with the interim government of Afghanistan and not any group or faction.

On Friday, officials briefed the army chief on the ongoing operations and overall security situation. He visited the Combined Military Hospital in Bannu to inquire after the injured soldiers. The COAS appreciated the high morale and unflinching resolve of the troops.

“Pakistan Army will continue to act as a bulwark against terrorism to safeguard the nation from this scourge,” COAS Munir said.

He had made similar comments during a meeting with a group of 38 students from Harvard University, US at the GHQ. The army chief had added that the international community must realise the immense sacrifices given by Pakistan.

While interacting with officers and troops deployed in the area, the COAS said: “The army, law enforcement agencies and the nation can never be coerced by the cowardly tactics of the terrorists, who have a misbelief that they can challenge the iron resolve of the soldiers and writ of the state.”

He further added: “We have fought for long and will continue to fight the menace of terrorism till the end. The nation pays rich tribute to those who have laid their lives and their sacrifices will forever be honoured.”

Earlier on arrival, COAS was received by the commander of Peshawar Corps.

In his speech on August 13, the army chief maintained that Pakistan has fought for a long with its external and internal enemies and the country would fight for as long as required in future as well.

Meanwhile, the funeral prayers of the martyred army men were offered in Bannu. The martyrs would be laid to rest with full military honour in their respective hometowns, according to the ISPR

Senior serving military and civil administrative officers and troops attended the funeral.