Army major among two soldiers martyred in Zhob anti-terror operation.

ISLAMABAD -- An army major among two soldiers embraced martyrdom while five terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Balochistan's Zhob District, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Monday.

According to the military's media affairs wing, the security forces conducted an operation in the general Sambaza area of Zhob District on the night between October 8 and 9, on the reported presence of terrorists.

'During the conduct of the operation, terrorists were surrounded and after an intense exchange of fire, five terrorists were sent to hell,' the ISPR added.

However, during the shooting, Major Syed Ali Raza Shah, 31 - who was leading the operation from the front - and Havaldar Nisar Ahmed 28, having fought gallantly, embraced martyrdom.

'The security forces of Pakistan are indebted and proud of our brave men and pay homage to their chivalry and sacrifices for the motherland, which further strengthens our resolve to uproot the menace of terrorism from the country,' read the statement.

The ISPR further said that sanitisation of the surrounding areas is being conducted to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area.

Last month, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir had said the forces of evil would continue to face the full might of the state after a suicide blast in Balochistan's Mastung district killed 59 people.

A suicide bomber Friday targeted people gearing up for a procession related to Eid Miladun Nabi - the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) - near a mosque in the Mastung district.

"... terrorists and their facilitators, having no link with religion and ideology, are proxies of the enemies of Pakistan and its people. These forces of evil will...