Suicide attack kills eight Pakistani soldiers in N. Pakistan

A suicide attack killed eight soldiers of Pakistan army while a retaliatory operation killed 10 militants in Pakistan's northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province bordering Afghanistan, said the military on Tuesday. According to a press release issued by the military's media wing, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), an attempt by "terrorists" to enter the Bannu Cantonment area in KPK was effectively thwarted by security forces. They forced the terrorists to ram an explosive-laden vehicle into the perimeter wall of the cantonment. The suicide blast caused a portion of a wall to collapse and damaged infrastructure, resulting in the death of eight security personnel, said ISPR. The military confirmed that in the ensuing operation, security forces effectively engaged the militants killing all ten attackers. "This timely and effective response by the security forces prevented a major catastrophe, saving precious innocent lives," the military added. The military attributed the attack to the Hafiz Gul Bahadu r group, "which operates from Afghanistan and has used Afghan soil to orchestrate acts of terrorism inside Pakistan in the past as well." Pakistan has consistently raised its concerns with the interim Afghan Government, the release read, adding that it will continue to defend its land and take all necessary measures as deemed appropriate against these threats. President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, has expressed Pakistan's firm commitment to root out the menace of terrorism. In a statement by President House, he appreciated security forces for foiling the terrorist attack on Bannu cantonment, and condoled with the bereaved families. Earlier last week, at least four soldiers of the Pakistan army and three "terrorists" were killed in a security operation in Peshawar district of KPK province. The operation followed the federal government announcement that it would launch a new counter-terrorism operation named "Azam e Istehkam" against the militants. The announcement comes at a time when Pakistan has witne ssed a rise in terror attacks especially in KPK and Balochistan provinces bordering Afghanistan after the banned outfit Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended the ceasefire agreement with the government last year. Source: Kuwait News Agency