RAWALPINDI: Ten terrorists were killed, and eight security force personnel were martyred in a failed terrorist attack on a military cantonment in northwestern Pakistan, said a military statement released on Tuesday.
The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media affairs wing of the Pakistan Army, reported that a group of ten terrorists attacked Bannu Cantonment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the early hours of Monday.
Security forces successfully thwarted the attempt to breach the cantonment, forcing the terrorists to detonate an explosives-laden vehicle at the perimeter wall.
The suicide blast caused a section of the wall to collapse and damaged nearby infrastructure, resulting in the deaths of eight soldiers. They are identified as Naib Subedar Muhammad Shehzad (44 years old, from District Poonch, AJK), Havildar Zil-e-Hussain (39 years old, from District Khushab), Havildar Shahzad Ahmed (28 years old, from District Neelum, AJK), Sepoy Ashfaq Hussain Khan (30 years old, from District Muzzafarabad, AJK), Sepoy Sobhan Majeed (22 years old, from District Muzzafarabad, AJK), Sepoy Imtiaz Khan (30 years old, from District Karak), Sepoy Arsalan Aslam (26 years old, from District Bahawalpur) of the Pakistan Army, and Lance Naik Sabz Ali (34 years old, from Lakki Marwat) of Frontier Constabulary.
Pakistani troops effectively engaged the terrorists as a result of which all ten terrorists were killed during the ensuing operation, ISPR stated.
“The timely and effective response by security forces prevented a major catastrophe, saving precious innocent lives. The gallant and selfless actions of our forces underscore our unwavering resolve in the fight against terrorism,” the statement emphasized.
The terrorist attack was attributed to the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, operating from Afghanistan, which has previously used Afghan territory to plan and execute attacks inside Pakistan.
Pakistan has consistently raised concerns with the Interim Afghan Government, urging action to prevent Afghan soil from being used by terrorists.
The Pakistan Armed Forces remain committed to defending the nation and its people against terrorism, and will take all necessary measures to counter threats originating from Afghanistan.
