8 security personnel among 18 killed in Bannu attack

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Eight security personnel and 10 alleged militants have been killed in Monday’s suicide attack in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military said on Tuesday.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the 10 terrorists tried to enter Bannu Cantonment in the early hours of Monday, but their effort was “effectively thwarted” by security personnel.

Frustrated by the security forces, the terrorists rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the perimeter wall of the cantonment, a statement from ISPR said.

As a result of the suicide bombing, a portion of the wall collapsed and damaged infrastructure, resulting in the killing of eight security force members.

“In the ensuing operation, the troops effectively engaged the terrorists and as a result, all 10 terrorists were killed,” the statement added.

The ISPR blamed the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group for the attack/

Helicopters flew over the heavily-guarded area in the wake of the bombing and gunfire, local security sources said.

Security personnel cordoned off the site soon after the explosion, which shattered windowpanes in nearby houses and shook buildings.

“Gunship helicopters are patrolling the high-security city neighbourhood,” the source said, adding eight people were wounded in the bombing.

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