Lieutenant colonel among two army personnel martyred in Bannu IBO: ISPR

RAWALPINDI: The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Saturday that a lieutenant colonel and a sepoy were martyred in a suicide attack during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district.

In a statement, the ISPR said that security forces gunned down five terrorists belonging to the India-backed "Fitna al-Khwarij" during the operation.

In a press release, the ISPR said a security forces’ convoy was targeted by Indian proxy Fitna al Khwarij while an IBO was being conducted on the reported presence of terrorists, including a suicide bomber.

A vehicle-borne suicide bomber was intercepted by the leading group, foiling his plan to target innocent civilians or law enforcement personnel in Bannu City and averting a major catastrophe, the ISPR said.

During the operation, the terrorists were located, and after an intense exchange of fire, five militants were killed by the security forces. In a desperate act, the terrorists rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into one of the vehicles of the leading group.

"As a result, Lt Colonel Shahzada Gul Faraz (43), a resident of district Mansehra and a brave commanding officer known for his daring leadership at the front, embraced shahadat along with Sepoy Karamat Shah (28), a resident of district Peshawar," the ISPR added.

The military’s media wing said that the Afghan Taliban regime has once again failed to prevent militants from using Afghan soil for terrorist activities inside Pakistan, even during the holy month of Ramadan.

“Pakistan will not exercise any restraint, and operations will continue against the perpetrators of this heinous and cowardly act, irrespective of their location,” the ISPR added.

The statement further said, “The counter-terrorism campaign under Vision Azm-e-Istehkam by the security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to eliminate the menace of foreign-sponsored terrorism. The sacrifices of our brave soldiers further reinforce our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation at all costs.”

The IBO followed a terrorist attack in Bajaur district on February 17, carried out by Indian proxies, in which 11 personnel embraced martyrdom while 12 militants were gunned down by security forces.