A high-ranking officer of Pakistan's spy agency ISI was killed along with his driver on Tuesday night when "hard core terrorists" ambushed his vehicle in the country's northwest, security officials and police said.

The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistan army’s media arm, said in a statement that intense fire was exchanged between the two sides at Angoor Adda area of South Waziristan, wherein Brigadier Mustafa Kamal Burki was “martyred while leading the encounter from the front” while seven others were injured, including two who were critically wounded.

The ISPR said Brigadier Burki and his team “put up a valiant resistance” against the terrorists during the encounter and the officer sacrificed his life.

“Defence forces of Pakistan and intelligence agencies pledge to reaffirm and demonstrate firm resolve to eliminate the menace of terrorism from every inch of the country,” the ISPR said.

In a separate incident, the ISPR said three soldiers lost their lives while three terrorists were killed during an exchange of fire in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan district.

According to the statement, terrorists had opened fire on a police check post last night in the Khutti area, prompting security forces to immediately block all possible escape routes.

“Fleeing terrorists were intercepted in the general area of Saggu, DI Khan district. After an intense exchange of fire, three terrorists were sent to hell,” the ISPR said, adding that weapons and ammunition were also recovered.

Image courtesy: ISPR