Three army officials were killed in an improvised explosive device (IED) attack in Upper Dir on Sunday.
An army official said Major General Sanaullah, general officer commanding (GOC) for Malakand, was coming back after inspecting army contingents on Pak-Afghan border. His vehicle was blown up in Sabar Keley.
Maj Gen Sanaullah, Lt Col Tauseef, Lance Naik Irfan Sattar and another soldier were killed on the spot. Another three officials sustained serious injuries and were shifted to a hospital. Soon after the attack, security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation.
The official in Upper Dir said Maj Gen Niazi had arrived in Shahi Kot on Saturday. He along with other top army officials visited Zero Point. He was briefed about security arrangements on the border.
The bodies were airlifted from Shahi Kot Dir to Islamabad.
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on Sunday claimed responsibility for the killings in Upper Dir.
In a message from an undisclosed location, TTP spokesman Shahidullah Shahid said those siding with the ‘infidels’ would not be spared.
The TTP spokesman said some journalists were doing ‘irresponsible’ reporting to sabotage the peace process.
Separately, KP Governor Shaukatullah Khan condemned the killing and paid rich tributes to the sacrifices of the martyrs. He also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls and courage to the bereaved families to bear the irreparable loss with patience.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif phoned Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani and conveyed to him his heartfelt condolences over the martyrdom of the officials.
The PM said the Pakistan Army had made countless sacrifices for the defence of the nation and in fighting the scourge of terrorism.
He said such incidents could not deter the morale of armed forces, which would continue to serve the nation and the country with vigour.
In a separate message, the PM said, “[The] Pakistan Army has made substantial sacrifices to protect the nation against the menace of terrorism and such cowardly acts by terrorists cannot deter the morale of our Armed Forces.”
Separately, President Mamnoon Hussain also expressed profound grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of army officials.
The president, in a condolence message, paid tribute to the senior officers for their services for the defence of motherland and prayed for their eternal peace.
Major general among four killed in Upper Dir
