11 security personnel martyred in Bajaur check post attack, 12 militants killed

ISLAMABAD: At least 11 security forces personnel were martyred when militants rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a joint security check post in Bajaur district, the military said on Tuesday, adding that 12 attackers were killed after troops repelled the assault.

In a statement, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations, said militants belonging to “Fitna al-Khawarij” and allegedly backed by India attempted to storm a joint check post operated by security forces and law enforcement agencies on February 16.

Troops responded swiftly and thwarted the attempted breach of the facility, killing 12 militants in an exchange of fire, the statement said. As their attack failed, the assailants detonated an explosives-packed vehicle against the outer wall of the check post.

The powerful blast destroyed part of the post’s infrastructure and resulted in the martyrdom of 11 security personnel, the ISPR said.

The explosion also caused severe damage to nearby residential buildings. A young girl was martyred and seven civilians, including women and children, were injured, according to the ISPR.

A clearance and sanitisation operation was under way in the area to eliminate any remaining militants, ISPR added.

Pakistan’s security forces and law enforcement agencies will continue operations against militancy under the National Action Plan approved by the federal apex committee and in line with the “Azm-e-Istehkam” vision, the statement said.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi paid tribute to the security forces for foiling the attack and honoured the 11 personnel martyred in the incident.

He said the “brave sons of the soil” had laid down their lives while eliminating 12 militants and thwarting what he described as the nefarious designs of “Fitna al-Khawarij”.

He added that the sacrifices of the martyred personnel and innocent civilians would not be forgotten.