A soldier was martyred in an exchange of fire with terrorists who were trying to infiltrate through the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Khyber district, the military’s media wing said on Saturday. Security forces thwarted terrorists’ attempt to infiltrate.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations said that four terrorists were killed during the gun battle that “occurred on the night of December 19/20” in the general area of Rajgal.

The martyred soldier was identified as Sepoy Amir Sohail Afridi, 22, a Khyber resident.

“Pakistan has consistently been asking Interim Afghan Government to ensure effective border management on their side of the border,” it said and urged the interim Afghan government to fulfil its obligations and “deny the use of Afghan soil by Khwarij for perpetuating acts of terrorism against Pakistan.”

The statement said: “Security Forces of Pakistan remain committed to secure its borders & eliminate the menace of terrorism, and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve.”