The head of the Army personnel (COA), the general also Munir, promised to bring the planners and facilitators of the recent terrorist attack against Bannu’s cliff to justice “wherever they are,” said the army’s media wing.
A statement issued by Public Relations between Services (ISPR) said that the Army Chief visited Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district following Tuesday’s attack.
Two vehicles loaded with explosives were rammed in the perimeter of the cliff by a group of terrorists who wanted to violate it. As a result of the explosions, several houses and a mosque adjacent to the limit wall were damaged.
The number of deaths in the attack increased to 18 on Wednesday when Pakistan said that 16 terrorists who attacked the high security zone received instructions from their managers in Afghanistan. The ISPR had said that security forces hired terrorists precisely, eliminating the 16 terrorists, including four suicide bombers. The military media wing added that during the intense exchange of fire, five soldiers, after putting heroic resistance, hugged martyrdom in the fulfillment of duty.
The ISPR said that Munir, during his visit today, said “deep condolences to the families of innocent civilians who lost their lives in this atrocious and cowardly terrorist incident.”
He also assured that while the incident perpetrators were instantly neutralized, the “planners and facilitators of the disgusting attack would also be taken before justice soon, wherever they are.”
The Army Chief stressed that the “barbaric orientation” of civilians, including children, women and the elderly, “stated the true intentions” of terrorists as enemies of Islam.
“Emphasizing the fundamental role of the local community, he reiterated that the national unity is essential in the fight against terrorism and assured that the Armed Forces would not devote any effort to guarantee the security of the people of Pakistan.”
The COAS was informed about ongoing operations during his visit and the general security situation in the area. He also visited Bannu of the combined military hospital to control the health and well -being of injured soldiers, recognizing their “unwavering resistance and dedication.”
The army chief praised the “high moral and firm resolution” of the troops, reaffirming that the military would continue to serve as a bulwark against terrorism to guarantee the security and stability of the State.
Going to the troops, Coas Munir “praised his heroic actions, recognizing his quick and decisive response to neutralizing the attackers and frustrating their dire designs,” and added that the fight against terrorists and their facilitators, “act in the hell of the hostile elements,” he would continue until his logical conclusion.
The Army Chief stressed that the terrorist groups, including the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), continued to operate from the Afghan floor against Pakistan. He stressed that the use of foreign weapons and teams in recent terrorist attacks was “clear evidence that Afghanistan remained a safe shelter for such elements.” He reaffirmed that any entity would not be allowed to interrupt Pakistan’s peace and stability.
In his statement a day ago, the ISPR had noticed that intelligence reports “unequivocally confirmed the physical participation of Afghan nationals in this atrocious act, with evidence that also pointed to the fact that the attack was orchestrated and directed by Khwarij Ring leaders operate from Afghanistan. ”
“Pakistan hopes that the Afghan interim government defends its responsibilities and denies its soil for terrorist activities against Pakistan. Pakistan reserves the right to take the necessary measures in response to these threats that emanate from the other side of the border, ”said the military.
Islamabad has constantly expressed concerns that the prohibited TTP uses Afghan soil to launch attacks in Pakistan, asking the Afghan interim government to control the group. Kabul denies the accusations.
Last month, the ISPR said that an Afghan national “involved in terrorism within Pakistan” was killed during an operation in the Waziristan district of northern KP.
That came within a month of Pakistan repatriating the body of an Afghan citizen involved in terrorist activities that died in an anti -terrorism operation in the Zhob district of Baluchistan.
At a press conference in December last year, Lieutenant General of the Director General of ISPR (DG), Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, said that terrorist costumes “sanctuaries, support and are allowed activities without restrictions in Afghan territory”.
