Army Major martyred in Gwadar IED blast; four terrorists killed in Kalat

A Pakistan Army major was martyred in an IED blast during a security operation in Balochistan’s Gwadar district, while security forces killed four terrorists in a separate operation in Kalat.

According to ISPR, 34-year-old Major Wajahat Waheed, a resident of Lahore, was leading a security force contingent conducting clearance operations in the Shadi Kaur area of Pasni tehsil when it was targeted by an IED. He embraced martyrdom while performing his duties.

In a separate intelligence-based operation conducted on October 18 in Jattakabad, Kalat district, security forces engaged a reported militant hideout. Following an intense exchange of fire, four terrorists were killed, and a large cache of arms and ammunition was recovered, the ISPR said. Clearance operations were continuing in Gwadar to eliminate any remaining militants.

The military said intelligence reports had indicated the presence of multiple hideouts of “Fitna Al Hindustan” in Shadi Kaur and Jattakabad, posing a threat to the local population. 

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to the security forces for the Kalat operation and expressed grief over Major Wajahat Waheed’s death. 

President Asif Ali Zardari also paid tribute to the martyred officer and commended security forces for their operations in Balochistan.