During an intense fire exchange between a “security forces convoy and Khwarij”, 23-year-old Captain Abuzar Farooq from Gujranwala and 22-year-old Lieutenant Sheraz Babar of Chakwal, “who were leading their troops from the front, fought gallantly and paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced martyrdom along with their four men”.

On the other hand, “eight Khwarij belonging to Indian-sponsored Fitna al Khwarij were sent to hell due to effective engagement by own troops”, the ISPR statement added.

The state uses the term Fitna al Khawarij for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

A sanitisation operation was being conducted to eliminate any other terrorist found in the area, ISPR said.

It affirmed that the “relentless counterterrorism campaign under vision ‘Azm-i- Istehkam’ (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country”.

“These sacrifices of our brave soldiers further reinforce our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our nation at all costs,” the military’s media wing stated.

More to follow

JI launched a protest “march” towards the federal capital on Sunday, departing Karachi by train. The party has been demanding that the government abolish the petroleum levy, with Rehman warning that the protest could change its objective to oust the government if it failed to accept the demand.

The march reached Sukkur on Sunday night by Rehman Baba Express, from where it was to head towards Multan via Shalimar Express. However, there was a four-hour delay in the train’s expected arrival at Sukkur on Monday, which the JI chief questioned at a press conference there.

“Does this delay have anything to do with our train march? Shalimar Express, which is not only a popular train but has been privatised, is delayed by four hours today,” he said.

“If this delay in its [Shalimar Express] is a usual delay, then the federal government should explain the performance of Pakistan Railways,” Rehman said.

He added that if a delay of four to five hours and its impact on the entire railway system were normal, then the government’s performance was for everyone to see.

Shalimar Express finally departed the Rohri station at around 5:45pm, with the JI chief set to address supporters upon reaching Multan. From there, the party plans to march by road towards Islamabad.

In a video clip shared by JI, wherein Rehman could be seen travelling in a train, the party chief said the “first phase” of the march had concluded, and the second had begun with the journey to Multan.

He said that marches had also departed from Balochistan and Bab-i-Khyber.

According to an official at Karachi’s chief controller office, Shalimar Express reached Karachi late, at 7:20am, thereby delaying its departure back to Hyderabad. The official attributed the late arrival to a fault in the engine developed in Sanghar district’s Tando Adam.

Consequently, it reached Hyderabad at 1:25pm rather than the usual arrival time of 9:20am, delaying its arrival at Sukkur’s Rohri railway station, where Rehman’s caravan was waiting for it.

A statement by the Pakistan Railways’ Karachi division said that delays were expected in the departure of a few up trains “due to delays in the arrivals of several down trains”.

Addressing the media in Sukkur earlier in the day, Rehman asserted it was time Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif put his foot down and withdrew the petroleum levy to provide “much-needed relief” to people.

The JI chief again termed the relief provided under the government’s scheme as insufficient, demanding that the petrol price be reduced.

“The government has earmarked Rs26 billion per month in this head for offering subsidised fuel to motorcyclists. We feel that even this Rs26bn will not be utilised because not all the motorbikes are registered, whereas the government is recovering Rs150bn in terms of petroleum levy per month from people,” he added.

Rehman also criticised the PPP, saying that while it claimed to support the JI’s campaign against the federal government, obstacles were allegedly being placed in the way of the train march and people seeking to welcome it.

The outlet reported that Dubai had declared a 10-day mourning period from Monday in honour of the senior member of the ruling family, with flags to be flown at half-mast across the emirate.

“You are absent from our eyes but not from our prayers and hearts, O Ahmed,” the Dubai ruler — also the vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) — said in a post mourning his brother on X.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed also extended his condolences to the Dubai ruler on his brother’s passing.

“[His] longstanding contributions to the development of the UAE since its founding continue to inspire our nation’s journey of progress,” he said.

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed “deep grief” over Sheikh Ahmed’s passing. He prayed for the departed soul to be granted peace, as well as for God to give “patience and strength” to the family.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed “profound grief and sorrow”, according to a statement by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

“He devoted his life to the service of Dubai and the UAE with honour and dignity. Pakistan deeply appreciates his valuable services and pays tribute to his memory with respect and admiration,” the statement quoted him as saying.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also paid tribute to Sheikh Ahmed, noting that “his long years of service to Dubai’s security and development, and his contribution to the UAE Armed Forces, will be long remembered”.

According to Khaleej Times, Sheikh Ahmed was the fourth and youngest son of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the former vice president and ruler of Dubai.

He served as the deputy chairman of Dubai Police and Public Services.