On Thursday, the chief of staff of the army (COAS) Asim Munnir visited Bannu in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, after Tuesday’s terrorist attack against the cantonment of Bannu.
During his visit, General Munnir expressed condolences to the families of civilians who lost their life in the attack. He reassured the public that the planners and the facilitators of the attack would be brought to justice, wherever they are.
The COAS underlined the brutal targeting of civilians, in particular women, children and the elderly, calling it an act which exposed the true nature of the terrorists as the seals of Islam.
General Munnir underlined the critical role of national unity in the fight against terrorism and assured that the armed forces would continue to protect the citizens of Pakistan. He also visited the Bannu combined military hospital, where he met injured soldiers, praising their resilience and unshakable dedication.
The army chief reiterated that the military would not go to his efforts to eliminate terrorism, stressing that the battle would continue until the terrorists and their facilitators are defeated.
He noted that terrorist groups, including Pakistan of Tehreek-I-Taliban prohibited (TTP), operated from Afghan soil, and the use of foreign weapons in these attacks was proof of the role of Afghanistan as paradise for such activists.
The ISPR also stressed that the intelligence reports have confirmed the participation of Afghan nationals in the attack, which was led by Khwarij leaders based in Afghanistan.
Pakistan has urged the Afghan government to assume responsibility and prevent its territory from being used for terrorist activities against Pakistan. Islamabad has long called Kabul to brake the TTP, although the Afghan government denies these allegations.
General Munnir reaffirmed that no entity would be authorized to disrupt the peace and stability of Pakistan, and the military would continue to ensure the security of the people.
The attack, led by terrorists using vehicles loaded with explosives, targeted the perimeter of the canton, damaging the neighboring houses and a mosque. The results of the attack on the attack reached 18 years, including five soldiers martyred in the exercise of its functions during the fight against fires which followed with terrorists.
The army media wing, inter-service public relations (ISPR), reported that the terrorists received instructions from managers based in Afghanistan. In response, the security forces neutralized the 16 attackers, including four suicide bomber.
