RAWALPINDI
Nine terrorists were killed as the security forces cleared the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) training base in Mianwali following an early morning attack by militants was repulsed on Saturday.
Several terrorists attacked the PAF base in Mianwali early Saturday morning. However, the security forces repulsed the attack, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
The attackers were able to damage three aircraft, the military said, with a group affiliated with the Pakistan Taliban claiming responsibility.
The Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan (TJP), a newly-emerged militant group that is an affiliate of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP, claimed responsibility in a statement to media.
“Due to the swift and effective response by the troops, it has been foiled and thwarted, ensuring the safety and security of personnel and assets,” the ISPR statement said.
“However, during the attack, some damage to three already grounded aircraft and a fuel bowser also occurred.”
According to the media wing of the military, ISPR, three terrorists were killed and three others were isolated in the swift action taken by the security forces who were also killed.
It further said that three aircraft and a fuel bowser, which had already been grounded during the attack, were also slightly damaged, adding that a comprehensive joint clearance and combing operation is in the final stages to clear the area.
The ISPR in its press release stated: “On Nov 4, 2023, in the early hours of the day, Mianwali Training Air Base of Pakistan Air Force came under a failed terrorist attack which, Alhumdolilah, due to the swift and effective response by the troops, has been foiled and thwarted, ensuring the safety and security of personnel and assets.
“Demonstrating exceptional courage and timely response, three terrorists were neutralised while entering the base while remaining three terrorists have been cornered/isolated due to timely and effective response by the troops.”
Yesterday, at least 17 soldiers were martyred in different incidents in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
In a terrorist attack in Gwadar, 14 Pakistan Army soldiers embraced martyrdom after militants attacked two vehicles of security forces.
The military vehicles came under attack while moving from Pasni to Ormara in the coastal district, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
Sanitisation operation is being carried out in the area and perpetrators of this heinous act will be hunted down and brought to justice,” it said. “Security forces of Pakistan are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the country and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve.”
In another attack, five people were killed and 24 others including two policemen were injured when a remote-controlled bomb was detonated in a congested Dera Ismail Khan area on Friday.
The bomb apparently targeting a police patrol van parked in Tanka Adda area missed to impact the vehicle.
Unidentified miscreants targeted the vehicle carrying elite force personnel. The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital.
The police force personnel cordoned off the area and launched a hunt to trace down the perpetrators.
It may be mentioned here that the elite force contingent was travelling from DI Khan Police Lines to Takwara check post when it caught up in the bomb blast near Tank Adda.
Separately, security forces also conducted two intelligence-based operations in which two soldiers were martyred yesterday.
In the first operation in Dera Ismail Khan’s Rori area, soldiers killed a suicide bomber and injured two others. The killed militant was identified as Usama, who was planning to carry out a high-profile attack in the area.
In the second operation, conducted in KP’s Lakki Marwat district, security forces killed a militant and destroyed several hideouts.
However, two soldiers also embraced martyrdom during the intense exchange of fire with militants.
Pakistan has seen a sharp rise in terrorist attacks on its soil since last year when the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan ended truce with the government in November 2022.
