Soldier martyred, twelve terrorists killed in Kurram

The ISPR said that Naib Subedar Hidayat Aman, 40, a resident of Ghizer district, was martyred during the intense exchange of fire. It added that he had "fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat".

The statement further said that the incident along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border once again vindicated Pakistan's "objective and factual stance" regarding the wilful abject failure of the Afghan Taliban regime to deny the use of Afghan soil to the terrorist organisation, rather facilitate and patronise cross-border terrorism.

"The Afghan Taliban regime has consistently failed to honour its international counter-terrorism obligations," the ISPR said. The security forces remained resolute and unwavering in their commitment to defending the country's frontiers, the statement added. A sanitisation operation was underway to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored kharji found in the area, the ISPR said.

It added that the counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, would continue at full pace. The campaign, being conducted by the security forces and law enforcement agencies, aimed to eliminate the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism in the country, the statement added.

"These sacrifices of our brave soldiers further reinforce our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our nation and its frontiers at all costs," the statement concluded. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif tribute to the security forces for foiling the infiltration attempt along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.