Forces foils suicide attack in S Waziristan

Destroy explosive-laden vehicle before reaching target; kill bomber, 3 others

RAWALPINDI:

Security forces foiled a terrorist attack on a security check post in South Waziristan district on Saturday, killing four terrorists, including a suicide bomber, and destroying an explosive-laden vehicle before it could reach the target, the military's media wing said.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), terrorists belonging to the Indian-sponsored Fitna Al Khwarij—an epithet used for outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)—attempted to attack the security forces' check post.

The ISPR said the attackers sought to breach security, but their attempt was thwarted by the "vigilant and resolute response" of the security forces.

It said the militants' explosive-laden vehicle was successfully engaged and destroyed outside the perimeter of the post, killing the suicide bomber inside the vehicle before it could cause any damage.

The military's media wing said security personnel then engaged the remaining attackers, forcing three terrorists into a nearby compound.

It said the terrorists were subsequently killed during a deliberate clearance operation conducted with precision. No security personnel were injured during the operation. The ISPR said a sanitisation operation was underway to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored militants found in the area.

"Security forces and law enforcement agencies will continue their counterterrorism campaign…to eradicate the menace of foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country," it said

Meanwhile, two people were killed in an explosion near Tali Dam in Bajaur district on Saturday, with rescue teams continuing a search operation for one of the bodies in the dam's waters, police said.

According to DSP Jamal Shah, the blast occurred in the Salarzai tehsil near the dam.

After the explosion, rescue teams, police and personnel from other relevant departments rushed to the scene. They shifted the body of one of the victims to the District Headquarters Hospital in Khar.

The search for the second body was continuing in the waters of Tali Dam. The deceased were identified as Suleman Qari, son of Faqir and a resident of Tali, and Ghulam, son of Subhan.

Police cordoned off the entire area and tightened security while collecting evidence and initiating an investigation to determine the nature of the blast.

Authorities said further information regarding the cause of the explosion and additional details about the victims would emerge after the investigation. Police and other relevant agencies are examining the incident from multiple angles.

(WITH INPUT FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT IN KHAR)