Bannu Cantt attack: All 16 terrorists killed, ISPR

On Wednesday, the military’s media wing reported that 16 terrorists were killed, while five soldiers lost their lives in the line of duty during a response to a terrorist attack on the Bannu Cantonment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district, which occurred the previous day.

The attack began when terrorists drove two explosive-laden vehicles into the perimeter of the Bannu Cantonment, trying to breach the high-security area on Tuesday evening.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed that the troops swiftly engaged the attackers with precision, eliminating all 16 terrorists, including four who were suicide bombers.

The statement also highlighted the bravery of the soldiers, noting that despite intense firefights, five of them sacrificed their lives heroically while defending the area.

In the aftermath of the attack, 13 civilians tragically lost their lives, and 32 others were injured when suicide blasts caused severe damage to a mosque and a residential building, leading to the partial collapse of the perimeter wall.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) provided more details of the attack, describing it as a “cowardly terrorist attack” by “khwarij elements,” a term the government uses to refer to the proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its affiliates.

The statement explained that the assailants attempted to breach the security of the Bannu Cantonment but were swiftly and decisively thwarted by the vigilant response of Pakistan’s security forces. In a desperate move, the attackers rammed two explosive-laden vehicles into the cantonment’s perimeter wall.

Despite the chaos, Pakistan’s security forces showed exceptional courage and precision, eliminating all 16 terrorists, including four suicide bombers. However, five soldiers lost their lives during the operation.

The suicide blasts caused the perimeter wall to collapse partially, damaging nearby infrastructure. Tragically, both a mosque and a civilian residential building were severely impacted, resulting in the death of 13 innocent civilians and injuries to 32 others.

The ISPR also revealed that intelligence reports confirmed the involvement of Afghan nationals in the attack. Evidence indicated that the assault was planned and directed by Khwarij ring leaders based in Afghanistan.

The military expressed its expectation that the Afghan government would prevent its territory from being used for terrorist activities against Pakistan. It reaffirmed that Pakistan reserves the right to take necessary action in response to cross-border threats.

Lastly, the ISPR emphasized the unwavering determination of Pakistan’s security forces to eradicate terrorism in all its forms, noting that the sacrifices of both soldiers and civilians strengthen the nation’s commitment to its defense.