4 militants killed as security forces’ camp comes under attack in North Waziristan

NORTH WAZIRISTAN: Four terrorists were killed after they attacked the battalion headquarters of security forces in Boya area on Friday.

The slain terrorists have been identified as those belonging to Fitna-al-Khawarij, a term that the state has designated for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.

One of the “suicide bombers” among the terrorists rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a wall of the Boya fort on Friday morning, causing a blast.

The powerful blast was heard as far as Miranshah city, located nearly 25 kilometres away.

Around four to five terrorists attempted to enter the fort after the blast, but the attempt was foiled due to timely action by security personnel, security sources said, adding that three terrorists were killed on the spot as a result of the action.

Only the outer wall of the battalion headquarters was partially damaged in the attack.

According to the information shared by the security sources around noon, troops had encircled a fifth terrorist involved in the attack, and an operation was under way at the time.

It was later reported by the sources that the operation was completed by the early evening hours. The update, however, did not specify whether the fifth terrorist was killed.

The military’s media affairs wing, Inter-Services Public Relations, has yet to issue an official statement about the incident.

Meanwhile, police and hospital sources reported that 11 civilians were injured as a result of the blast, and they were rushed to the district headquarters hospital in Miranshah for treatment.

Initially, police had reported that assailants managed to enter the premises and opened fire. In the ensuing exchange of fire, four militants were killed while four security personnel sustained injuries, police earlier said.

Soon after the explosion, security forces cordoned off the area. A heavy contingent of police and security personnel reached the site after the blast, while special teams of the bomb disposal squad were dispatched to examine the scene. Rescue 1122 and medical teams were also sent to the site. Monitoring Desk