All 16 Bannu Cantt attackers eliminated: ISPR

RAWALPINDI/BANNU: Security forces have eliminated all 16 terrorists, including four suicide bombers, belonging to Fitna Al-Khwarij who had carried out a cowardly attack on Bannu Cantonment late Tuesday evening, with physical involvement of Afghan nationals.

The multiple suicide blasts resulted in martyrdom of 13 civilians and injuries to 32 others, while five brave soldiers were also martyred in exchange of fire with attackers.

Intelligence reports have unequivocally confirmed the physical involvement of Afghan nationals in this heinous act, with evidence also pointing to the fact that the attack was orchestrated and directed by Khwarij ring leaders operating from Afghanistan, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement on Wednesday said.

The statement said that Pakistan expects the interim Afghan government to uphold its responsibilities and deny its soil for terrorist activities against Pakistan. “Pakistan reserves the right to take necessary measures in response to these threats emanating from across the border,” the media wing of Pakistan Army maintained.

On March 4, a cowardly terrorist attack was attempted on Bannu Cantonment by Khwarij elements. The assailants sought to breach the cantonment’s security; however, their nefarious designs were swiftly and decisively foiled by the vigilant and resolute response of Pakistan security forces.

In their desperation, the attackers rammed two explosive-laden vehicles into the perimeter wall.

“Displaying unwavering courage and professional excellence, our valiant troops engaged the intruders with precision, eliminating all 16 terrorists, including four suicide bombers.” In this intense exchange of fire, five brave soldiers, after putting up a heroic resistance, embraced martyrdom in the line of duty.

The multiple suicide blasts resulted in the partial collapse of the perimeter wall, causing damage to the adjacent infrastructure.

Tragically, a mosque and a civilian residential building in close proximity also suffered severe destruction, leading to the martyrdom of 13 innocent civilians and injuries to 32 others. “The security forces of Pakistan remain steadfast in their resolve to eradicate terrorism in all its forms. The sacrifices of our brave soldiers and innocent civilians further reinforce our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our nation at all costs,” the ISPR statement said.

Meanwhile, the funeral prayers for the 12 martyrs, who had been trapped under the debris of roofs of houses and a mosque collapsed due to explosions in Bannu Cantonment, were offered at Ziad Akram Khan Durrani Sports Complex on Wednesday.

Gloom and fear prevailed in the area while neither divisional nor district administration officials and representatives attended the funeral.

After the funeral prayers, thousands of people transported the bodies of martyrs, including six members of a family, to their ancestral graveyards via ambulances, where they were laid to rest. Excavators were used to dig graves for the burial of martyrs.

Former speaker of the National Assembly, Zahid Akram Durrani and former minister Syed Hamid Shah, Member National Assembly Maulana Syed Naseem Ali Shah, tribal leader Malik Adnan Khan along with other elders attended the funeral prayers. Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shahab Ali Shah and IGP Zulfiqar Hameed visited District Headquarters Hospital Bannu, where they visited the injured.