The funeral prayers of Lieutenant Colonel Syed Kashif Ali and Captain Muhammad Ahmed Badar, who were martyred in a terrorist attack in Mir Ali, North Waziristan, were held on Saturday at Chaklala Garrison Rawalpindi, as reported by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The ceremony was attended by dignitaries including President Asif Ali Zardari, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and other senior military and civil officers. A large crowd of locals and relatives of the martyrs also paid their respects.

In a statement quoted by the ISPR, President Asif Ali Zardari emphasized Pakistan Army’s commitment to upholding the ideals of Faith, Unity, and Discipline, and praised the professionalism and loyalty of the armed forces in their fight against terrorism. He expressed solidarity with the armed forces and commended the gallantry of the martyred officers.

The bodies of the martyrs were later transported to their respective hometowns, where they will be laid to rest with full military honors.

Lt. Col. Syed Kashif Ali, aged 39 and a resident of Karachi, and Captain Muhammad Ahmed Badar, aged 23 and a resident of Talagang, were among the seven soldiers martyred in the terrorist attack. Six terrorists were also killed in the incident.

According to the ISPR, the initial attempt of intrusion into the army installation was foiled by troops, but a group of six terrorists later attacked with an explosives-laden vehicle, resulting in multiple suicide bombings and the collapse of a portion of a building. This led to the martyrdom of five additional soldiers: Havildar Sabir, Naik Khurshid, Sepoy Nasir, Sepoy Raja, and Sepoy Sajjad.