Kuwait city: At least 12 "terrorists" were killed while 11 security personnel embraced martyrdom in a militant attack targeting a security check post in a tribal district of Pakistan's northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province bordering Afghanistan, said military on Tuesday.
According to Kuwait News Agency, a cowardly terrorist attack was attempted on security forces and Law Enforcement Agencies' joint check post in Bajaur tribal district of KPK.
"The assailants sought to breach the check post security; however, their nefarious designs were swiftly and decisively foiled by the vigilant and resolute response of Pakistan's security forces," said the military, adding that displaying unwavering courage and professional excellence, our valiant troops engaged the fleeing militants with precision, eliminating 12 militants.
In their desperation, the attackers rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the perimeter wall. Due to blast impact infrastructure at the check post collapsed resultantly eleven brave sons of soil, rendered the ultimate sacrifice and embraced martyrdom, ISPR confirmed.
"Tragically, civilian residential buildings in close proximity also suffered severe destruction as a result of the explosion, leading to the martyrdom of one innocent young girl and injuries to seven others including women and children," it added.
Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other militant found in the area as a relentless counter terrorism campaign by security forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.
"The sacrifices of our brave soldiers and innocent civilians further reinforce our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our nation at all costs," the military vowed.
Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday strongly condemned the attempted attack by militants, expressing deep sorrow over the martyrdom of 11 personnel of the security forces and one civilian in the terrorist attack. He prayed for the elevation of ranks of the martyrs and expressed condolences to their bereaved families.
He said that the security forces, through timely action, killed 12 militants. The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with Pakistan's armed forces in this war against terrorism, he vowed, noting that they are fully determined to completely eradicate all forms of terrorism from the country, the Prime Minister affirmed.
The attack comes at a time when Pakistan is witnessing a rise in terror attacks especially in KPK and Balochistan provinces bordering Afghanistan.