One Soldier martyred in SWA blast

RAWALPINDI: A soldier on Thursday embraced martyrdom after an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded near a military convoy in South Waziristan District’s Makeen area.
In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the martyred soldier was identified as Havaldar Muhammad Sanwar, 39, who was a resident of Jhelum.
Following this, an area clearance is being carried out to eliminate any terrorists in the vicinity, the military’s media wing said.
In a separate statement, the ISPR said security forces had conducted an intelligence-based operation (IBO) on May 17 in North Waziristan’s Mir Ali area.
During the intense exchange of fire, one terrorist was killed, who was identified as Muhammad Altaf, the military’s media wing said.
The ISPR said weapons and ammunition were recovered from the terrorist’s hideout, adding that Altaf was actively involved in terrorist activities against security forces.

Meanwhile, ISPR said in another statement Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited the School of Artillery, Nowshera on Thursday.
According to a press release issued by the military’s media affairs wing, the COAS participated in the annual Commanding Officers Conference of the Artillery Regiment.
He also visited various facilities during the visit, including the Yudh Khel Grounds, set up to undertake training under simulated combat conditions and to facilitate the planning/conducting of war games/exercises. The COAS was also briefed about the new training module.
Interacting with the officers, COAS urged them to focus on training and professional activities.
Earlier on reaching Nowshera, the COAS was received by Colonel Commandant Corps of Artillery Lt Gen Muhammad Abdul Aziz. –ISPR