PESHAWAR: Lt Uzair Mehmood Malik, who was critically wounded during an intense gun battle with militants in the Tirah Valley of Khyber district on Friday, passed away at Peshawar’s Combined Military Hospital (CMH) on Sunday, where he was being treated. He was laid to rest at his native graveyard in Attock district.

The first incident in North Waziristan occurred in Razmak tehsil, where militants targeted a security official who later succumbed to his injuries. The second clash took place on Khaisur Road in Mir Ali tehsil, resulting in injuries to four security personnel. The wounded were shifted to Miramshah Hospital. The military’s media wing didn’t immediately issue a statement.

On the martyrdom of Lt Malik, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the army officer was leading troops at Bagh, one of the three locations in the Tirah Valley where security forces and militants exchanged fire on Friday.

The ISPR said Lt Malik fought bravely and killed four militants. “However, during an intense fire exchange, the officer got critically injured and was under treatment at CMH Peshawar. Today, he succumbed to injuries and embraced Shahadat,” it said.

The ISPR said the security forces were determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the country. “Such sacrifices of our brave officers and soldiers further strengthen our resolve,” it added.

Lt Malik’s funeral prayer was held in Peshawar, attended by his family, Peshawar’s corps commander and other civil and military officials. He was laid to rest with full military honours in his hometown in Bhandar Tali village in Attock district’s Jand tehsil.

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep sorrow over Lt Malik’s martyrdom, offering condolences to his family and lauding his sacrifice in defending the nation. He reaffirmed the country’s commitment to continuing operations against militants.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also paid tribute to the fallen officer and highlighted Lt Malik’s role in eliminating four militants.

He said the nation stood shoulder to shoulder with the army in the war against militants. “Our martyrs and their families are the pride of the whole nation,” he added.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also paid tribute to Lt Malik’s bravery, noting his pivotal role in thwarting the militants’ nefarious designs.

Mr Naqvi said the brave officers and soldiers of the security forces had made unforgettable sacrifices in the war against terrorism and stressed that the sacrifices of the martyrs would always be remembered.