12 Pakistani Soldiers Killed in Suicide Bombing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

At least 12 Pakistani security personnel were killed in a suicide bombing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province late Tuesday night when an explosive-laden vehicle rammed into a joint check post in the Malikhel area of Bannu district, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

 

 

The attack targeted a joint check post manned by the Pakistan Army and Frontier Constabulary. ISPR stated that the soldiers effectively thwarted an attempt by the assailants to enter the post. However, the powerful blast caused a portion of the perimeter wall to collapse and severely damaged nearby infrastructure.

 

 

The ISPR confirmed the death of 12 personnel, including 10 soldiers from the security forces and two from the Frontier Constabulary. Six militants were killed in a gunbattle that followed the explosion. Injured personnel have been admitted to a local hospital for treatment.

 

 

The Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, a breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban, claimed responsibility for the attack, according to the Associated Press (AP). This group has been active in the region, often targeting security forces.

 

 

“Sanitization operations are underway in the area, and the perpetrators of this act will be brought to justice,” said the ISPR in its statement.