Four militants have been killed in a joint operation after a suicide attack targeted the Frontier Constabulary (FC) Lines in Bannu early Tuesday morning. Security forces say an encounter with one remaining militant is still underway.
According to police, the attack occurred at around 5:10 a.m. when a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the main gate of the FC Lines, causing a powerful blast. Following the explosion, five armed militants stormed the compound, triggering intense gunfire.
District Police Officer (DPO) Saleem Abbas Kulachi confirmed that one militant was killed in the FC ground by FC personnel, while four others were eliminated during a joint operation by police, FC, and other security forces. However, he added that an exchange of fire with the last militant was still ongoing.
Police officials said two FC personnel have so far been martyred in the attack. In addition, Station House Officer (SHO) Damsaz Khan of Cantt Police Station sustained critical injuries and was shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital, where doctors described his condition as serious after emergency surgery. Five more policemen were injured by militant gunfire, raising the total number of wounded officers to six.
Security forces have cordoned off the entire area and imposed restrictions on movement around the FC Lines. DPO Kulachi, who is personally supervising the operation, told reporters that the terrorists will be defeated and no militant activity will be tolerated.
The attack was jointly claimed by the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, Jabhah al-Mahdi Khorasan, and Al-Badr Istishhadi Konduk. These outfits are linked to a larger militant network operating under the name Ittehad al-Mujahideen Pakistan.
Note: This is a developing story; further details will be shared as they emerge.
