Militants attack Pakistani military base, killing and injuring dozens, reports say
Two suicide bombers carried out detonations at the facility as the attack commenced. Read Full Article at RT.com
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Two suicide bombers detonated themselves at the facility as the assault began.
An attack on a military base in northwestern Pakistan on Tuesday evening has resulted in at least 18 fatalities and 42 injuries, according to reports from the AP. The militant group Jaish Al-Fursan, which is linked to the Pakistani Taliban, has taken responsibility for the assault.
The incident in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province commenced when two suicide bombers targeted the base's perimeter wall with explosive-laden vehicles. This breach enabled additional militants to surge into the compound, leading to a violent gunfight in which security forces managed to push back the attackers. The military's account indicated that five soldiers and 16 insurgents were killed during the clash.
The explosions transpired shortly after sunset, coinciding with the time many locals were ending their fast for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The blasts inflicted considerable damage on nearby buildings, including a mosque, where the roof collapse trapped worshippers. Rescue crews recovered the imam’s body from the debris.
Local hospitals have been inundated with casualties. Bannu District Hospital reported treating 42 individuals, including 12 fatalities, among them at least four children. A spokesperson from the hospital mentioned that most of the casualties were civilians affected by the falling structures and debris.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has decried the attackers as “cowardly terrorists who target innocent civilians during the holy month of Ramadan,” asserting that “the evil ambitions of the enemies of Pakistan will never be allowed to succeed.” He expressed profound sorrow over the loss of innocent lives and commended the courage of the security forces for thwarting the militants’ onslaught.
Reports indicate that Pakistan has seen an increase in militant attacks in recent months, particularly in this region. Last year, a thwarted assault on the Iqbal Shaheed Police Lines resulted in the deaths of four police officials along with five militants, who were dressed in burqas and armed with suicide vests.
In December, Pakistan carried out airstrikes reportedly aimed at suspected insurgent camps in the Waziristan border area. According to a spokesman for the Taliban government in Afghanistan, the airstrikes resulted in 46 deaths, predominantly women and children.
Mark B Thomas for TROIB News
An attack on a military base in northwestern Pakistan on Tuesday evening has resulted in at least 18 fatalities and 42 injuries, according to reports from the AP. The militant group Jaish Al-Fursan, which is linked to the Pakistani Taliban, has taken responsibility for the assault.
The incident in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province commenced when two suicide bombers targeted the base's perimeter wall with explosive-laden vehicles. This breach enabled additional militants to surge into the compound, leading to a violent gunfight in which security forces managed to push back the attackers. The military's account indicated that five soldiers and 16 insurgents were killed during the clash.
The explosions transpired shortly after sunset, coinciding with the time many locals were ending their fast for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The blasts inflicted considerable damage on nearby buildings, including a mosque, where the roof collapse trapped worshippers. Rescue crews recovered the imam’s body from the debris.
Local hospitals have been inundated with casualties. Bannu District Hospital reported treating 42 individuals, including 12 fatalities, among them at least four children. A spokesperson from the hospital mentioned that most of the casualties were civilians affected by the falling structures and debris.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has decried the attackers as “cowardly terrorists who target innocent civilians during the holy month of Ramadan,” asserting that “the evil ambitions of the enemies of Pakistan will never be allowed to succeed.” He expressed profound sorrow over the loss of innocent lives and commended the courage of the security forces for thwarting the militants’ onslaught.
Reports indicate that Pakistan has seen an increase in militant attacks in recent months, particularly in this region. Last year, a thwarted assault on the Iqbal Shaheed Police Lines resulted in the deaths of four police officials along with five militants, who were dressed in burqas and armed with suicide vests.
In December, Pakistan carried out airstrikes reportedly aimed at suspected insurgent camps in the Waziristan border area. According to a spokesman for the Taliban government in Afghanistan, the airstrikes resulted in 46 deaths, predominantly women and children.
Mark B Thomas for TROIB News
