Seven terrorists killed in Lakki Marwat attacks

Seven terrorists were killed as security forces gallantly fought off three assaults within a short span of time in the night between Thursday and Friday in Lakki Marwat, the media wing of the military said.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), three soldiers were martyred in fierce exchange of fire during the encounters with terrorists in Lakki Marwat town and the general area of Amir Kalam and Tajbi Khel.

The first attacks unfolded as a motorcycle-borne suicide bomber exploded himself near a security forces post in Lakki Marwat town. The blast was followed by a fierce exchange of fire between the troops and assailants.

“On night 27/28 Apr 23, Security Forces, while fighting gallantly, repulsed three attacks by terrorists on different locations within a span of short time in Lakki Marwat District,” the ISPR said in a statement.

“A Motorcycle borne Suicide bomber exploded himself near security forces post in Lakki Marwat followed by a fierce fire exchange between own troops and terrorists,” it said, adding that the troops effectively engaged the terrorists, killing four them.

Three more terrorists were killed in two encounters in Amir Kalam and Tajbi Khel areas, according to the ISPR. They included terrorist commander Musa Khan. “Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the seven killed terrorists,” the statement said.

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The ISPR identified the martyred soldiers as Naib Subedar Taj Mir, 40, a resident of Nowshera district; Havaldar Zakir Ahmed, 38, a resident of Abbottabad district; and Sepoy Abid Hussain, 29, a resident of Dera Ismail Khan District.

“Sanitization of the areas is being carried out to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area. Security Forces of Pakistan are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,” the ISPR said.

According to sources, the suicide bombing was carried out at the Government Post-Graduate College in Lakki Marwat town, where the army and the Frontier Corps (FC) have been stationed for the past several months.

A new outfit which called itself as Tehreek-e-Jihad, Pakistan (TJP), claimed responsibility for the motorcycle-borne suicide bombing, saying that its militant blew himself up near the camp post at the college.

The sources said that the police had been kept out of the investigation into the blast at the college, as the Lakki Marwat District Police Officer Ashfaq Khan was not allowed to inspect the crime scene.

Because of the rising incidents in the area, a public protest has been announced in Lakki Marwat. A peaceful protest rally would be taken out from Aman Chowk to the Kargil Chowk in the town.

(WITH INPUT FROM OUR LAKKI MARWAT CORRESPONDENT GHULAM AKBAR MARWAT)