A soldier was martyred during an exchange of fire with terrorists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s North Waziristan district on Saturday, said the Inter-Services Public Relations.

Security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the district’s general area of Mir Ali during which an “intense fire exchange” occurred against terrorists, said the military’s media wing in a statement.

“Own troops effectively engaged terrorists’ location. However, during the operation, Sepoy Shakeel Shafqat, age 21 years, resident of the Khanewal district, having fought gallantly, embraced martyrdom,” the ISPR said, adding that the area was being sanitised to eliminate any terrorists found in the vicinity.

“Security forces of Pakistan are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,” the ISPR said.