Former COAS Abdul Waheed Kakar passes away in Rawalpindi: ISPR

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir on Monday expressed deep sorrow over the passing of former COAS (Retd) General Abdul Waheed Kakar who passed away in Rawalpindi, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

According to the military’s media wing, CDF Munir, along with all ranks of the Pakistan Army, paid tribute “to the late general’s distinguished military career, leadership and invaluable services to the Pakistan Army.”

“The Pakistan Army shares the grief of the bereaved family and offers its heartfelt condolences,” the ISPR said, adding, “May Allah Almighty grant the departed soul highest the place in Jannah and give the family strength and patience, Ameen.”

President Zardari, PM Shehbaz condole death

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed grief over General Kakar’s passing, conveying “heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the family.”

He also extended prayers for the late general’s forgiveness. “May Allah Almighty grant the deceased a place in His mercy,” the president’s X account posted.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed “deep grief and sorrow” over General Kakar’s passing, paying tribute to “his invaluable services to the Pakistan Army,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.

It added that PM Shehbaz extended heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the bereaved family. “May Allah Almighty grant the departed a high place in His mercy and give the bereaved the strength to bear this loss, Ameen,” the PMO said.

A day earlier, two soldiers embraced martyrdom during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Dera Ismail Khan district, while six terrorists were neutralised. The martyred soldiers included 36-year-old Naik Ghulam Murtaza, a resident of District Gujrat and 30-year-old Sepoy Taseer Ahmed, a resident of District Talagang.

The ISPR said the martyred soldiers, “having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifices and embraced shahadat”.

Read: Forces fend off terrorist attack on Gwadar camp

Last week, four police personnel, including a deputy superintendent of police (DSP) of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), were martyred in an exchange of fire with armed men in the Khurram Muhammad Zai area of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Karak district.

A search and strike operation was launched within the limits of Latamber police station following a tip-off. An exchange of fire ensued between police and unidentified armed men, resulting in the martyrdom of CTD DSP Imranuddin, Station House Officer Afzal Awan and two constables, Amjad and Kazim.

Separately, the military’s media wing said last week that during a clearance operation in the general area of Shadi Kaur of tehsil Pasni in Balochistan’s Gwadar district, the lead force component, led by Major Wajahat Waheed, was targeted by an improvised explosive device (IED).

The IED blast resulted in the martyrdom of Major Waheed. Major Wajahat Waheed was 34-year-old and was a resident of Lahore, the ISPR said.