12 soldiers martyred in Bannu suicide blast

Six terrorists also killed during attack on Mali Khel check post

RAWALPINDI:

Twelve soldiers were martyred in a suicide blast near the Mali Khel check post in Bannu district, the army's media wing said in a statement on Wednesday.

The security forces also killed six terrorists by effectively thwarting their attempt to enter the joint check post, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) added.

"In ensuing fire exchange, six khwarij are sent to hell. The attempt to enter the post was effectively thwarted by own troops, which forced the khwarij to ram an explosive laden vehicle into the perimeter wall of the post," the ISPR said.

"The suicide blast led to the collapse of a portion of the perimeter wall and damaged the adjoining infrastructure, resulting in Shahadat of 12 brave sons of soil, including 10 soldiers of the security forces and two soldiers of Frontier Constabulary," the ISPR said.

"Sanitisation operation is being conducted in the area and the perpetrators of this heinous act will be brought to justice. 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," it further said.

Meanwhile, funeral prayers of the 12 martyred personnel of armed forces were offered at the Bannu Garrison.

The Peshawar corps commander along with senior military and civil officials, officers and, soldiers attended the funeral prayers, said the ISPR news release.

The martyrs were identified as Subedar Imran Ahmad Farooqi, age 44 (R/O Gujranwala District), Havildar Muhammad Javeed Iqbal, age 29 (R/O Sargodha District), Naik Tehmas Ahmad, age 34 (R/O Abbottabad), Naik Basit Fareed, age 39 (R/O Haripur), Sep Safdar Ali, age 33 (R/O Barkhan District), Sep Asad Bashir, age 32 (R/O Kuhlu District), Sep Ejaz Hussain, age 38 (D G Khan District), Sep Atif Khan, age 23 (R/O Mianwali District), Sep Amanullah, age 30 (R/O Karak district), Sep Shah Zaman, age 22 (R/O Lower Dir District), Sep Haseebullah, age 22 (R/O Karak District) and Usman Ullah, age 33 (R/O Karak District).

Pakistan's security forces remain steadfast in their commitment to eradicating the scourge of terrorism, and the sacrifices of these brave soldiers only strengthen nation's resolve, the ISPR added.

Separately, AFP reported on Tuesday that a clash resulted in the deaths of "eight soldiers" and "nine militants" in the Tirah valley. The outlawed Pakistani Taliban (TTP) had claimed responsibility.

(WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM NEWS DESK)