Eight soldiers martyred in Bannu attack

At least eight Pakistan Army soldiers embraced martyrdom in a terrorist attack at Bannu Cantonment, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Tuesday.

According to Military’s media wing, the security forces effectively thwarted a terrorist attack and killed all 10 militants.

The terrorists attacked the Bannu Cantonment in the early hours of July 15, but their attempt to enter the facility was effectively thwarted by the security forces personnel, it said. Following their failure to enter the premises, the militants rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the perimeter wall of the cantonment.

“The suicide blast led to the collapse of a portion of the wall and damaged the adjoining infrastructure, resulting in the martyrdom of eight brave sons of soil,” ISPR added.

The fallen heroes are identified as: Naib Subedar Muhammad Shehzad, Havildar Zil-e-Hussain, Havildar Shahzad Ahmed, Sepoy Ashfaq Hussain Khan, Sepoy Sobhan Majeed, Sepoy Imtiaz Khan, Sepoy Arsalan Aslam of the Pakistan Army, and Lance Naik Sabz Ali of the Frontier Constabulary.

“This timely and effective response by the security forces prevented a major catastrophe, saving precious innocent lives. The gallant and selfless action of the security forces is a testament of unrelenting resolve in fight against terrorism,” it added.

The heinous act of terrorism has been undertaken by the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, which operates from Afghanistan and has used Afghan soil to orchestrate acts of terrorism inside Pakistan, it said. The group has been involved in such activities in past as well.

“Pakistan has consistently raised its concerns with the Interim Afghan Government, asking them to deny persistent use of Afghan soil by the terrorists and take effective action against such elements,” it added.