In response to a terrorist attack on the canton of Bannu in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the security forces eliminated 16 terrorists, including four suicide bomber, while five soldiers were martyred, the media wing said on Wednesday.
According to inter-service public relations (ISPR), the attack took place Tuesday evening when terrorists tried to violate the high security zone by hitting two vehicles loaded with explosives in the wall of the perimeter of the canton of Bannu.
The ISPR said: “The troops have accurately engaged the intruders, eliminating the 16 terrorists, including four suicide bomber.”
In the shooting shooting, five soldiers kissed martyrdom in the exercise of their functions, according to the ISPR.
The explosion caused significant damage to the wall of the perimeter, resulting in the partial collapse of the neighboring structures. A mosque and a residential building were seriously affected, leading to the martyrdom of 13 civilians and injuries to 32 others, he added.
The ISPR has described the attackers as “Khwarij elements”, a term used by the government to describe Pakistan Tehreek-E-Taliban (TTP) and its affiliates.
The ISPR also said: “The intelligence reports have unequivocally confirmed the physical involvement of Afghan nationals in this odious act”, adding that the attack was “orchestrated and led by the leaders of the Khwarij ring operating in Afghanistan”.
The ISPR also called on the Acting Afghan government to assume responsibility to prevent its soil be used for terrorist activities against Pakistan.
“Islamabad expects the acting Afghan government to respect its responsibilities and denies its soil for terrorist activities against Pakistan.”
The declaration has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to counter terrorism, stressing that the sacrifices of security personnel and civilians strengthen the determination to protect the nation.
He also said: “Pakistan reserves the right to take the necessary measures in response to these threats from the other side of the border”.
The attack was claimed by a subsidiary of the terrorist group Banned Hafiz Gul Bahadur, who benefits from the sanctuaries on the other side of the border in Afghanistan. The group led a similar fatal attack on the same garrison last July, exploding a vehicle loaded with explosive against the limit wall.
President Asif Ali Zardari sentenced the terrorist attack and praised the security forces to “send the attackers to hell,” his office said in a statement. “Such an attack during Iftar in the sacred month of Ramazan is an odious act,” he said, adding that the whole nation rejects such harmful actions.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also congratulated the security forces for “sending the terrorists to hell” who tried to attack the Bann Cantt. “The loose terrorists who targeted innocent civilians during the sacred month of Ramazan do not deserve any pity,” said the Prime Minister quoted by his office in a statement.