By Imran Nasir

ISLAMABAD (TSAT) - At least four Pakistani soldiers were martyred in a cross-border terrorist attack in the country's northwest near the Afghan border, Pakistan's military said on Thursday.

In a statement, the Pakistani army said a group of terrorists attempted to infiltrate inside Pakistan from Afghanistan in Hassan Khel, North Waziristan District on Wednesday night.

"Due to alertness and timely response of own troops, the infiltration attempt was foiled. Terrorists retaliated with fire which was reciprocated in a befitting manner. The terrorists have failed, fled away, and as per intelligence reports, suffered heavy casualties," said the military.

During intense exchange of fire, four soldiers, having fought gallantly, embraced Shahadat, among them Lance Havaldar Wajahat Alam (age 34 years, resident of Ghizer, Gilgit Baltistan), Sepoy Sajjid Inayat (age 25 years, resident of Sheikhupura), Sepoy Maqbool Hayat (age 32 years, resident of Ghizer, Gilgit Baltistan) and Sepoy Sajjid Ali (age 22 years, resident of Skardu).

"Pakistan Army is determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve," said the ISPR. 

North Waziristan and South Waziristan, once a stronghold of the TTP terrorists, are among two of seven former semi-autonomous tribal regions in Pakistan where the army has conducted a series of operations since 2014 to eliminate the Pakistani Taliban.

After successful operations, most of the terrorists fled toward neighboring Afghanistan, and Pakistan claims the network has now set up bases across the border to attack Pakistani security forces and civilians.

The TTP terrorists still living in Afghanistan in border areas with Afghanistan and carrying attacks on Pakistani military posts at the border.