Peshawar: At least four militants were killed and as many soldiers embraced martyrdom in an attack on a security forces camp in the tribal district of Pakistan's northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province bordering Afghanistan, Pakistan military said Friday.
According to Kuwait News Agency, a press release by Pakistan military's media wing, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), described the incident as "a heinous and cowardly terrorist act," where militants targeted a security forces camp in the general area of Boya, North Waziristan in KPK. The press release highlighted that the militants attempted to breach the perimeter security, but their plans were thwarted by the vigilant response of Pakistani troops. The attackers resorted to ramming an explosive-laden vehicle into the outer perimeter wall, causing its collapse and damaging adjacent civilian infrastructure, including a mosque.
The military report further noted that this act caused severe injuries to 15 local civilians, including children and women, and inflicted damage on their homes. Pakistani troops, exhibiting courage and professionalism, engaged and killed all four militants. However, during the intense exchanges of fire, four soldiers were martyred.
The ISPR release emphasized that the attack was orchestrated by militants based in Afghanistan, contradicting the Afghan Taliban Regime's claims of no terrorist groups operating from their soil. Pakistan expects the Afghan Taliban Regime to deny militants the use of Afghan territory for attacks against Pakistan, prioritizing the safety and security of its citizens.
Pakistan reserves the right to pursue and eliminate the militants and their affiliates to ensure the safety of its people, the release concluded.
President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack, paying tribute to the martyred soldiers. In separate statements, they commiserated with the families of the fallen soldiers and praised the security forces for their timely action. They also expressed sorrow over the injuries sustained by civilians during the attack.
The Prime Minister reiterated that the nation remains united with its security forces to eradicate terrorism. This attack occurs amid a rise in terror incidents, particularly in KPK and Balochistan provinces bordering Afghanistan.