Fifteen people, including 12 Pakistan Army personnel, two police officers and a former Forest Department official, were martyred after militants attacked a joint police check post in Tank district during the night of July 23 and 24, the military’s media wing said on Friday.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), militants belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, which the state refers to as Fitna al-Khawarij, attempted to breach the security of the check post.
The ISPR said troops deployed at the post responded promptly and prevented the attackers from entering the facility. Security personnel subsequently engaged the fleeing militants and killed 12 of them.
During the attack, the militants rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the perimeter wall of the check post, causing extensive damage to its infrastructure.
The impact of the blast resulted in the martyrdom of 15 personnel and officials, including 12 soldiers, two police officers and a government official formerly associated with the Forest Department, the statement said.
A sanitisation operation was launched in the area to locate and eliminate any remaining militants.
The ISPR said security forces and law enforcement agencies would continue their counterterrorism campaign under the Azm-i-Istehkam initiative, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan.
“The sacrifices of our brave soldiers further reinforce our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our nation at all costs,” the military’s media wing said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack and paid tribute to the personnel who lost their lives while defending the check post.
He praised the security forces for their timely and professional response, saying their actions had foiled the militants’ attempt and resulted in the killing of 12 attackers.
The prime minister expressed grief over the deaths of the Army personnel, police officers and Forest Department official. He prayed for the departed souls and for strength and patience for their families.
“We will not rest until terrorism is completely eradicated from Pakistan,” the prime minister said, adding that security forces and law enforcement agencies would continue operations with full force to eliminate the threat.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also paid tribute to the 15 personnel and officials who sacrificed their lives during the attack.
He said the security forces and police had frustrated the militants’ plans through their bravery and sacrifice.
“The martyrs are the pride of the nation, and their sacrifices demonstrate Pakistan’s firm resolve against terrorism,” Naqvi said.
He said the nation would always remember the personnel who laid down their lives for the peace and security of the country.
