7 soldiers martyred, 5 terrorists killed in South Waziristan operation: ISPR

Seven soldiers of the Pakistan Army embraced martyrdom and five terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based operation in the Asman Manza area of South Waziristan, the military's media wing said on Wednesday.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), in a statement, said the operation was launched on intelligence about the presence of terrorists in the area.

"During intense exchange of fire, 5 terrorists were killed and 7 soldiers embraced shahadat," said the ISPR.

The security forces cordoned off the area and began a search operation "to eliminate any other terrorists" found in the area, the statement added.

There has been an uptick in attacks on security forces in recent months. Earlier this month, at least four Frontier Corps officials were martyred and 18 others injured in a suicide attack near a check post on Quetta's Mastung Road.

Last week, two Pakistan Army soldiers were martyred in an improvised explosive device (IED) attack in North Waziristan.

The ISPR had said that security forces were conducting a clearance operation in the district's Dosalli area when the IED exploded.

In August, three Levies personnel were martyred and as many injured when their vehicle hit a landmine in Balochistan's Ziarat district.