Soldier martyred, terrorist killed in Bannu clash

BANNU: A soldier embraced martyrdom and three others sustained injuries in an exchange of fire with an alleged terrorist here on Tuesday, official sources said.

The sources said the terrorist was also killed in the clash. They said the security forces had been tipped off about the presence of the terrorist, Hanifullah, at a hideout in Mamtankhel village falling in the jurisdiction of Janikhel Police Station.

The security forces conducted a raid on the hideout where the alleged terrorist opened fire on them. As a result, a soldier identified as Shah Rukh Khan hailing from Jhelum was martyred while Sepoys Bilal Mushtaq, Muhammad Ramzan and Muhammad Kamran suffered injuries. The alleged terrorist, Hanifullah, was also killed on the spot and his firearm was seized.

The martyred and injured soldiers were shifted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Bannu. The sources said that Hanifullah was affiliated with the outlawed TTP’s faction led by Akhtar Mohammad.