Web Desk: Fifteen people, including 12 soldiers, two police personnel and a forest department official, were martyred after terrorists attacked a joint security checkpoint in Pakistan’s northwestern Tank district, the military’s media wing said on Friday.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said security forces responded to the attack and killed 12 terrorists during an exchange of fire after the attackers attempted to breach the checkpoint’s security perimeter.
According to ISPR, the attackers rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the outer wall of the checkpoint, causing extensive damage to the facility’s infrastructure.
The military said security personnel acted swiftly and professionally, preventing the attackers from achieving their objectives and targeting those attempting to flee the area.
Meanwhile, a clearance operation was underway in the surrounding area to eliminate any remaining terrorists, ISPR said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and paid tribute to the security personnel and officials killed in the incident.
He praised security forces for thwarting the assault and killing 12 terrorists, while expressing grief over the deaths of the 12 soldiers, two police officers and the forest department official.
Sharif said the government would continue efforts to eliminate terrorism from the country and offered condolences to the families of those killed.
ISPR said security forces and law enforcement agencies were conducting sanitisation operations in the area following the attack.
The military added that operations would continue to counter terrorist threats and that the sacrifices of security personnel would strengthen the country’s resolve to combat terrorism.
Read more: Security Forces launch operation Al-Azm in Mastung
