12 soldiers martyred in Bannu check post attack laid to rest

RAWALPINDI: Twelve brave sons of soil, including 10 soldiers of security forces and two soldiers of Frontier Constabulary (FC), were martyred in a suicide attack on a check-post in the Malikhel area of Bannu on Tuesday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Khwarij attempted to attack a joint check-post in general area Malikhel in Bannu District on Tuesday. In ensuing fire exchange, six Khwarij were sent to hell. The attempt to enter the post was effectively thwarted by troops, which forced the Khwarij to ram an explosive laden vehicle into the perimeter wall of the post. 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.

Namaz-e-Janaza of the 12 brave sons of soil, including 10 soldiers of security forces and two soldiers of Frontier Constabulary (FC), was offered at the Bannu Garrison on Wednesday. It was attended by Commander Peshawar Corps, civil and military officials, and soldiers of security forces and Frontier Constabulary. Sanitization 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, the ISPR said.

Martyred soldiers include Subedar Imran Ahmad Farooqi Shaheed (age 44, resident of Gujranwala), Havildar Muhammad Javed Iqbal Shaheed (age 29, Sargodha), Naik Tahamas Ahmad Shaheed (age 34, Abbottabad), Naik Basit Farid Shaheed (age 39, Haripur), Sepoy Safdar Ali Shaheed (age 33, Barkhan district), Sepoy Asad Bashir Shaheed (age 32, Kohlu district), Sepoy Ejaz Hussain Shaheed (age 38, Dera Ghazi Khan), Sepoy Atif Khan Shaheed (age 23, Mianwali), Sepoy Amanullah Shaheed (age 30, Karak), Sepoy Shah Zaman Shaheed (age 22, Lower Dir), Sepoy Haseebullah Shaheed (age 22, Karak) and Usmanullah Shaheed ( age 33, Karak).