Bannu attack: 8 soldiers martyred, 10 terrorists killed

RAWALPINDI: In early hours of July 15 (Monday), a group of ten terrorists attacked Bannu Cantonment. The attempt to enter the cantonment was effectively thwarted by the security forces personnel, which forced the terrorists to ram an explosive laden vehicle into the perimeter wall of the cantonment, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a press release.

The suicide blast led to collapse of portion of the wall and damaged the adjoining infrastructure, resulting in shahadat (martyrdom) of eight brave sons of the soil who included Naib Subedar Muhammad Shehzad (age 44 years, resident of District Poonch, AJK), Havildar Zil-e-Hussain (age 39 years, resident of District Khushab), Havildar Shahzad Ahmed (age 28 years, resident of District Neelum, AJK), Sepoy Ashfaq Hussain Khan (age 30 years, resident of District Muzaffarabad, AJK), Sepoy Sobhan Majeed (age 22 years, resident of District Muzaffarabad, AJK), Sepoy Imtiaz Khan (age 30 years, resident of District Karak), Sepoy Arsalan Aslam (age 26 years, resident of District Bahawalpur) of Pakistan Army and Lance Naik Sabz Ali (age 34 years, resident of Lakki Marwat) of Frontier Constabulary, the ISPR said.

In the ensuing operation, own troops effectively engaged the terrorists as a result of which all ten terrorists were sent to hell. This timely and effective response by the security forces prevented major catastrophe, saving precious innocent lives. The gallant and selfless action of the security forces is a testament of unrelenting resolve in fight against terrorism.

The ISPR added that the heinous act of terrorism was undertaken by Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, which operates from Afghanistan and has used Afghan soil to orchestrate acts of terrorism inside Pakistan in the past as well.

“Pakistan has consistently raised its concerns with Interim Afghan Government, asking them to deny persistent use of Afghan soil by the terrorists and take effective action against such elements,” it said.

Pakistan Armed Forces will keep defending the motherland and its people against this menace of terrorism and will take all necessary measures as deemed appropriate against these threats emanating from Afghanistan, the ISPR press release said.