13 Civilians and 5 Soldiers Killed in Terrorist Attack on Military Base in Pakistan
Thousands of people flooded the streets of Bannu, northwestern Pakistan, on Wednesday to attend the funeral of 18 people, including six children, who were killed in a suicide terrorist attack on a security facility.
Suicide bombers drove two explosive-laden vehicles toward the military base in the town in an attack carried out by more than ten gunmen on Tuesday.
According to a military statement, multiple suicide bombings caused a partial collapse of the facility’s outer wall and damaged nearby infrastructure. A mosque and a residential building adjacent to the base were severely affected.
The attack resulted in the deaths of at least 13 civilians and 5 soldiers, the military confirmed. Muhammad Nauman, a spokesperson for a nearby hospital, reported that the casualties included six children and that 36 people were injured. The military also stated that 16 militants, including four suicide bombers, were killed in the assault.
A police official told Agence France-Presse that “shortly after breakfast, two suicide bombers drove explosive-laden vehicles toward the gate of the (Bannu) barracks” in the mountainous Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The source, who requested anonymity, added that “the main gate was completely destroyed, and several attackers then attempted to storm the barracks.”
Another intelligence official stated that “12 militants continued the attack,” while the police official reported that six of them were killed along with the two suicide bombers.
“The explosions created large craters and damaged at least eight nearby houses and a mosque,” the police official added.
