Pakistan: At least 15 people, including 14 security personnel, were killed in a terrorist attack on a joint security checkpost in Tank district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while security forces killed 12 militants during the ensuing operation, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Friday.
How Did the Attack Unfold?
According to the ISPR, the attack occurred during the night of July 23-24, when militants attempted to breach the joint police and security forces checkpost.
The military’s media wing said security personnel responded swiftly, preventing the attackers from overrunning the post. Troops pursued the fleeing militants and killed 12 of them during the operation.
After the assault failed, the attackers rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the perimeter wall of the checkpost, triggering a powerful blast that caused extensive damage to the facility.
The explosion resulted in the deaths of 15 people, including 12 military personnel, two police officers, and one government employee from the Forest Department.
The ISPR said a sanitization operation was continuing in the area to clear any remaining militants.
How Did Pakistan’s Leadership Respond?
The military said security forces and law enforcement agencies would continue counterterrorism operations under Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, reaffirming their commitment to eliminating militant threats.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and paid tribute to the security personnel killed in the line of duty.
President Zardari praised the security forces for killing 12 militants, saying the sacrifices of Pakistan’s armed forces and law enforcement personnel would not be forgotten.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also commended the security forces for their response and reiterated the government’s commitment to continuing operations against militant groups until terrorism is eliminated.
Pakistan has witnessed an increase in militant violence, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, in recent years. Pakistani authorities have repeatedly attributed many cross-border attacks to militant groups operating from Afghan territory, an allegation the Afghan Taliban has denied.