Six soldiers martyred foiling suicide attack

Six Indian-proxy terrorists also killed in firefight at FC HQ in Bannu

RAWALPINDI/BANNU:

Security forces killed six Indian-proxy terrorists in a daylong encounter at the Federal Constabulary (FC) Headquarters in the Bannu district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) on Tuesday, during which six soldiers were also martyred and 19 others sustained injuries, the military and the local police said.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the military, said in a statement that the terrorists, belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al Khwarij, targeted the FC HQ in Bannu district in early hours of Tuesday in a cowardly terrorist attack.

"The Indian sponsored Kharjis attempted to breach the perimeter security, however, their nefarious designs were swiftly foiled by the vigilant and resolute response by own troops.

In their desperation, the Kahrjis rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the perimeter wall," the ISPR stated.

"The suicide blast resulted in the partial collapse of the perimeter wall and damage to adjacent civilian infrastructure inflicting injuries to three innocent civilians. Displaying unwavering courage and professional excellence, own troops engaged the Kharjis with precision and eliminated all five khwarij."

However, according to the media wing of the military, in this intense exchange of fire, six brave soldiers belonging to Federal Constabulary and the Pakistan Army, after putting up a heroic fight, embraced martyrdom in the line of duty.

"The clearance operation in the area would continue and perpetrators of this heinous and cowardly act will be brought to justice. The security forces of Pakistan in step with nation remain steadfast in their resolve to eradicate Indian sponsored terrorism from the country."

The ISPR statement said that sacrifices of "our brave soldiers and innocent civilians further strengthen our unwavering commitment of safeguarding our nation at all costs."

While briefing the media about the attack, Bannu Range Police Officer (RPO) Sajjad Khan told reporters that terrorists rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the wall of the Federal Constabulary Lines at 5:15 am that resulted in the wall collapse.

"Five militants stormed the compound and opened fire. The FC personnel retaliated strongly and engaged in a fierce exchange of fire. Soon after, other security forces also reached the site and encircled the terrorists," he said.

"Small and heavy weapons were used during the firefight. As a result, six terrorists were killed. The clearance operation at the FC Lines took 12 hours," Khan said, adding that the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) was examining the explosives used in the vehicle.

President Asif Zardari strongly condemned the terrorist attack carried out by India-backed Khawarij. He paid tribute to the martyrs who foiled the nefarious designs of Khawarij terrorists. The president said the nation salutes the sacrifices of its brave soldiers and citizens.