Seven soldiers were martyred when a security forces’ vehicle was targeted by an improvised explosive device (IED) in the Lakki Marwat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (9 June). The vehicle carrying these soldiers was on its way to the Kaichi Kamar area when it was targeted by the explosive device near Sultankhel village, an area bordering Punjab’s Mianwali district.

ISPR, the military’s media wing, identified the martyred soldiers as follows:

Captain Muhammad Faraz Ilyas (26 years, Kasur District)

Subedar Major Muhammad Nazir (50 years, Skardu District)

Lance Naik Muhammad Anwar (34 years, Ghanchi District)

Lance Naik Hussain Ali (36 years, Ghizer District)

Sepoy Asad Ullah (33 years, Multan District)

Sepoy Manzoor Hussain (27 years, Gilgit District)

Sepoy Rashid Mehmood (31 years, Rawalpindi District)

These soldiers “made the ultimate sacrifice and embraced Shahadat (martyrdom)”, the ISPR stated.

Lakki is not that lucky these days. “LakkiMarwat is one of the districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa most affected by terrorism,” the senior police officer stated. It is not far from the Khost province of Afghanistan where TTP has taken shelter.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility by any terrorist group till the filing of this report. Nevertheless, all the fingers are pointed towards TTP, backed by Afghan Taliban government.

In the aftermath of the attack, the ISPR announced that a “sanitization of the area” was underway to eliminate the terrorists responsible. “The perpetrators of this heinous act will be brought to justice,” the statement asserted.

The Prime Minister, President and COAS condemned the incident, eulogized the great sacrifice of the martyrs and vowed to avenge it. The 26-year-old Capt. Muhammad Faraz Ilyas, was scheduled to be married on 19 June.

 The ISPR emphasized the commitment of Pakistan’s security forces to eradicate terrorism, noting that such sacrifices only strengthen their resolve.

Just days earlier, on May 27, the ISPR reported that 17 terrorists were killed and two were injured in two separate operations conducted by security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In Tank District, an operation led to the deaths of ten terrorists after troops effectively engaged their location. In another operation in the Bagh area of Khyber District, security forces killed seven terrorists and injured two others.

The martyrdom of seven soldiers in Lakki Marwat underscores the persistent threat of terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The use of IEDs indicates a continued reliance on such devices by militant groups to target security forces. This event highlights the need for enhanced counter-IED strategies and improved intelligence to preempt such attacks.

This news of the martyrdom of seven soldiers created great resentment among the public across Pakistan. They prayed for the departed souls and expressed gratitude to them for their great sacrifice for the protection of the people of Pakistan. The government’s and military’s assurances to bring perpetrators to justice may help in maintaining public confidence in their counter-terrorism efforts.

The recent operations resulting in the deaths of 17 terrorists indicate proactive measures by the security forces. Continued operations and successful engagements are essential for diminishing the operational capabilities of terrorist groups. However, the recurrence of such attacks also calls for a reassessment of current strategies and the implementation of more robust counter-terrorism measures.

The attack in Lakki Marwat is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by Pakistan’s security forces in their fight against terrorism. While recent military operations demonstrate a proactive stance, the continuous threat necessitates unwavering vigilance, advanced tactical responses, and greater connectivity between the LEAs and the intelligence agencies.