12 security personnel martyred in Bannu suicide attack: ISPR

At least twelve security personnel were martyred in a suicide attack on a check post in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Express News reported quoting Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The military's media wing said that the attack on a joint check post in Bannu district on 19 November 2024 resulted in the martyrdom of 12 Pakistani soldiers, including 10 from the security forces and two from the Frontier Constabulary.

The attack was carried by Khwarij, who attempted to breach the post in the general area of MaliKhel, the ISPR said in a statement.

During the ensuing exchange of fire, six of the attackers were killed, it said,

However, in an attempt to break through the post's defences, the terrorists rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the perimeter wall, triggering a suicide blast.

The blast caused a portion of the wall to collapse, damaging nearby infrastructure. Tragically, this led to the deaths of the twelve brave soldiers, with several others injured.

Following the attack, a sanitisation operation was launched in the area to neutralise the remaining perpetrators, ISPR said.

Pakistan's military vowed to bring those responsible for the attack to justice and reiterated its commitment to eliminating terrorism from the region.

"Security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave men further strengthen our resolve," the statement added.

President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the soldiers, reiterating his commitment to eradicating terrorism from Pakistan.

Earlier on Nov. 14, two security personnel, including a major, martyred during an operation against terrorists in Balochistan’s Harnai district on Thursday, the military’s media wing confirmed.

According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), troops led by Major Muhammad Haseeb mobilised on reports of terrorists planning attacks on civilians in Harnai.

In the ensuing gunfight, at least three militants were killed. During the operation, an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near the leading vehicle, resulting in the deaths of Major Haseeb, 28, from Multan, and Havildar Noor Ahmed, 38, from Barkhan. Both men were praised for leading the operation with bravery, ISPR said.