PESHAWAR, Pakistan: Pakistan’s security forces on Tuesday thwarted a major terrorist attack by “Indian proxy Fitna al Khwarij” on the Federal Constabulary (FC) Headquarters in Bannu district of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, killing all five attackers, the military’s media wing stated.
Bannu Regional Police Officer Sajjad Khan said the assault began with a suicide bomber ramming an explosive-laden vehicle into the main gate of the FC Headquarters, causing a powerful blast that damaged nearby houses.
During a media briefing, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed said that Pakistan Army and FC personnel swiftly responded to the attack and killed five terrorists.
According to the military media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), terrorists belonging to “Indian proxy, Fitna al Khwarij,” in a cowardly terrorist attack, targeted Federal Constabulary Headquarters in Bannu district during the early hours of Tuesday.
“The Indian sponsored Kharjis (terrorists) 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,” ISPR stated in a statement.
The suicide blast resulted in the partial collapse of the perimeter wall and damage to adjacent civilian infrastructure, inflicting injuries to three innocent civilians, the military’s media wing stated.
The security forces engaged the terrorists with precision and killed all five terrorists belonging to “Indian proxy, Fitna al Khwarij,” ISPR stated.
“However, in this intense exchange of fire, six brave soldiers belonging to the Federal Constabulary and Pakistan Army, after putting up a heroic fight, embraced martyrdom in the line of duty,” ISPR shared.
The clearance operation in the area would continue, and perpetrators of “this heinous and cowardly act” will be brought to justice, the military reaffirmed.
“The security forces of Pakistan, in step with the nation, remain steadfast in their resolve to eradicate Indian sponsored terrorism from the country, and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers and innocent civilians further strengthen our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our nation at all costs,” the military resolved.
Police IG Zulfiqar Hameed said a clearance and search operation was now underway at the site.
The Bannu Regional Police Officer said that five policemen were also injured during the operation.
Pakistan has seen a surge in terrorism since the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan ended its ceasefire deal with Pakistan’s government in November 2022, vowing to increase attacks.
According to data released by the Islamabad-based think tank Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), the country witnessed an alarming spike in militant violence in August this year, registering a 74 percent increase in militant attacks compared to July, becoming the “deadliest month in over a decade”.
