Two security personnel, 13 attackers killed as militants attack PAF base in Peshawar
Confirming the attack, ISPR said 13 militants had been killed so far and a clearance operation was underway. Rescue 1122 officials said 22 people, including 10 soldiers, were injured during the attack.
Bajwa said, “10 soldiers were injured, including two officers.” Further, security officials told The Express Tribune, “Two security force personnel belonging to the PAF and FC have been killed in the attack.”
“As per initial information, seven to 10 terrorists tried to break deep in the base” but troops managed to contain them, military spokesperson Major General Asim Bajwa said in a tweet. He said that operations were still ongoing.
“Clearance operation is in progress. Major Haseeb of QRF injured, received a bullet in his thigh and has been taken to CMH,” Bajwa added.
“Terrorists attacked a guard room early morning. Quick reaction force reached, surrounded, isolated them. Exchange of fire continues,” he added.
“Entire response mechanism reacted quickly. Effectively surrounded, confined terrorists in small area. Three terrorists killed so far,” DG ISPR said.
Following the attack, Army chief General Raheel Sharif left for Peshawar. “Will visit Corps HQs, meet with troops participating in clearance operations and will also visit wounded in CMH.”
A senior PAF official said that the area attacked was an operational radar station at the base. “The attackers first went to the guard room. The quick response force had condoned the area while the situation remained unclear,” he said. However, additional security officials had been called in along with police officials.
In an email to the media, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Khorasani group claimed responsibility for the attack. “We sent 14 men to attack the base and eight of them entered the base from one side and six from the other side,” the spokesperson said.
In an email to the media, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Khorasani group claimed responsibility for the attack. “We sent 14 men to attack the base and eight of them entered the base from one side and six from the other side,” the spokesperson said.
“The attack was planned by Qari Saifullah group and a threat alert had been issued a week ago,” a senior security official told The Express Tribune on the condition of anonymity.
“It was a result of security measures that a major catastrophe was restricted to minimum,” he added.
The security official said initial investigations showed the attackers had travelled in a vehicle from Bara Tehsil, Khyber Agency to Ghundi area of Jamrud Tehsil. “A search operation had been launched in Jamrud since last night.”
“All terrorists killed inside the base were suicide bombers,” he added.
A member of FC’s Quick Response Force team, Rafiullah, while speaking to The Express Tribune said, “One of the attackers was a trained sharp shooter armed with a sniper gun.” Rafiullah sustained bullet wounds during the attack. “I saw four militants and managed to injure two.”
According to residents, at least a dozen small and large explosions were heard from inside the base. “We have been hearing firing for the past one hour and nothing is clear what is going on,” a local resident, Mukamal Shah, said.
Television pictures showed helicopters hovering above the base while police and ambulances gathered outside.
The area of Badhaber is located close to the the semi autonomous Frontier Region (FR) Peshawar and Kohat. Both FRs have been a point of contention as they are buffer zones between the tribal and settled area.
President, PM condemn attack
Condemning the attack, President Mamnoon Hussain said the nation is committed to eliminating terrorism from the country.
“Terrorists cannot undermine our resolve by carrying out coward acts of terrorism,” the president said.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif reiterated the resolve to continue with full zeal the mission of eliminating terrorism for which the nation has rendered so many sacrifices. ”Terrorists will be rooted out from the country,” PM Nawaz said following the attack which took place early Friday morning.
Sources confirmed that the premier will be updated on the attack and may visit Combined Military Hospital, Peshawar where the injured have been shifted.
K-P Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser also condemned the ‘cowardly attack.’ “We will continue to fight against militants until peace is restored,” the provincial assembly speaker said, while visiting the injured at Lady Reading Hospital.
“The sacrifices of the nation will not go in vain and war against militancy will continue until the last militant is eliminated,” Qaiser added.
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