ISLAMABAD: Director General (DG) of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry while giving the details of the hostage operation on Tuesday said that the security forces have launched a raid against the Counter-Terrorism Department (CT) in Bannu. D) stormed the compound, killing 25 people. The terrorists arrested two and forced seven to surrender.
In the action, one junior commissioned officer and two soldiers were martyred while 10 soldiers including three officers were injured.
The military spokesman said that on December 18, a detained terrorist overpowered a duty constable, snatched his weapon and freed 34 other terrorists. He grabbed the weapon and started firing.
He told the anchorperson that one CTD constable was martyred while another was injured and died in hospital.
Major General Sharif said that the terrorists took a junior commissioned officer hostage.
On hearing the sound of firing, security forces from Bannu Cantt immediately reached the complex and cordoned off the area.
The ISPR chief said that security forces killed two terrorists and arrested three, while two security personnel were injured, soon after the terrorists seized the compound on December 18.
He said that while efforts were made over the next two days to induce the terrorists to surrender unconditionally, an effective siege foiled every attempt by the terrorists to escape.
Major General Sharif added that the terrorists had demanded safe passage to Afghanistan, but were told that this was out of the question.
He said that security forces stormed the complex after refusing to surrender, 25 terrorists were killed in a fierce exchange of fire.
Major General Sharif said that in addition to three arrests, seven terrorists surrendered and three sons of the nation, Subedar Major Khurshid Akram, Sepoy Saeed and Sepoy Babar, were martyred. Ten soldiers including three officers were injured.
The military spokesman expressed the determination of the security forces to end terrorism, the sacrifices of the brave martyrs further strengthened this determination.
The situation in Bannu remained tense for the third day on Tuesday amid the operation to clear the CTD compound of militants.
Major General Sharif further said that the fresh wave of terrorism will not be allowed to emerge from the western border. He warned that whoever comes against us will be crushed.
Talking about the policy regarding the banned TTP, he said that no terrorist group will be allowed to flourish and the writ of the state will be established at any cost.
