Four soldiers including a lieutenant colonel of the Pakistan Army were martyred in an exchange of fire with terrorists during an intelligence-based operation in the Tirah area of the Khyber district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday, the Inter-Services Public Relations said.

In a statement, the military’s media wing said that three terrorists were killed and three others were injured during the operation conducted by security forces on the reported presence of terrorists.

“During the conduct of the operation, own troops led by Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Hassan Haider effectively engaged the terrorists’ location,” it added.

The four martyred army men were identified as Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Hassan Haider, 43, a resident of Islamabad, Naik Khushdil Khan, 31, a resident of Lakki Marwat district, Naik Rafique Khan, 27, a resident of Charsadda district, and Lance Naik Abdul Qadir, 33, a resident of Murree.

“Sanitisation operation is being carried out to eliminate any terrorists found in the area. 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.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar expressed deep sorrow and grief over martyrdom of four army personnel, including a lieutenant colonel, while fighting with terrorists in Tirah area of Khyber District.

He offered his heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the families of martyrs and prayed for grant of courage to bear the loss with fortitude.

The prime minister said the Pakistan Army soldiers sacrificed their lives for the security of the country in Tirah.

“The entire nation, including me, is proud of its martyrs,” he added.

He vowed to continue the war against terrorism until the complete eradication of terrorism from the country.

The evil designs of the enemies of peace would never be allowed to succeed, he added.

Former president of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari called it necessary to termed it necessary to conduct an action similar to that of the Swat operation to end terrorism in the country.

Terrorists are enemies of the country, the former president said, adding that it is necessary to eliminate them.

Asif Ali Zardari expressed sympathy and condolences to the families of the martyrs and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

The development came after a series of terror attacks on the security forces and military installments in recent days.

On November 3, at least 14 soldiers were martyred when two vehicles of security forces moving from Pasni to Ormara in Balochistan’s Gwadar district were ambushed by the terrorists.

On November 3, an explosion near a police vehicle in Dera Ismail Khan’s district Tank killed five policemen and injured 20 other people.

The explosion took place in the Tank Adda area where a vehicle was carrying policemen to duty.

As per initial reports, firings were also exchanged after the explosion, and the explosives were fixed on a motorcycle.

Police said a total of 21 people were injured in the blast as well.

Security forces foiled a terror attack on Pakistan Air Force training airbase in Mianwali, the ISPR said, as terrorists targeted the military installation on November 4.

According to the ISPR, nine terrorists were killed as the clearance operation was completed foiling the attack on the PAF Training Base Mianwali.

A day earlier, a policeman was injured in an ambush on a check post in the Rori area of Kalachi Tehsil in Dera Ismail Khan.

A heavy contingent of police from Kalachi and Tehsil Daraban were sent to Rori, police said and added that the gun battle with alleged terrorists lasted for more than 20 minutes.