ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's army says militants opened fire on an army vehicle on patrol in the country's mountainous northwestern region near the Afghan border, killing two soldiers.

Tuesday's statement says the military vehicle came under attack in the North Waziristan tribal region.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

The military has carried out massive operation against militants but they are able to cross the porous Afghan-Pakistan border and shelter on the other side.

They have also been able to carry out cross-border attacks.

The Pakistani army has been constructing a series of fences along the border, which zigzags across a remote and difficult mountain terrain, to check the movement of militants.

Afghanistan objects to the construction of the fences.

Director General ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor tweeted Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa's tribute to the martyred soldiers stating that

 

"Freedom isn't free, it costs sons of the soil. Freedom that we enjoy today is owed to so many such bravehearts. Salute to our Martyrs"COAS. pic.twitter.com/GVTOnmTrWn

— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) December 12, 2017

PM condemned terrorist attack

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has strongly condemned terrorist attack on a vehicle of the Pakistan Army at North Waziristan.

In his condolence message, he stated that these matchless sacrifices of precious human lives, in the war against terrorism, will always be remembered as they form the most important aspect of our national history.

The Prime Minister said as a nation, we will never forget the greatest contribution of our valiant Armed Forces in the war against the enemies of our country.Minister for Defence Khurram Dastgir has also condemned the terrorist attack.