Across the northwest Pakistan’s border region, at least 18 Pakistani security officers have been killed in a string of terror attacks reportedly committed by militants.
They were killed by suspected terrorists associated with a militant group, called Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), that had intensified attacks on security forces in Pakistan in the past months, officials said. The attack reportedly occurred at the Damangi Scouts Camp in the Bajaur district of Pakistan.
The attack allegedly began when a suicide bomber detonated bombs at the strategic entrance of the military camp. More than 20 heavily armed militants stormed the camp after the blast and opened fire indiscriminately on the members of the security staff who remained inside.
In a violent gunfight, at least 14 security personnel were killed. Many other people were injured in the attack, it says. The security forces immediately launched a powerful counter-attack to break the attackers’ progress, striking to disrupt the advance.
The militants stormed police checkpoints and reportedly killed four police officers, making separate attacks in Ainai Qila and Mamond and giving witnesses from each side. The attacks, which authorities said were coordinated and caused the highest number of casualties against Pakistani security forces.
The Pakistani military encircled the locations and quickly opened a search to see if the suspected militants could be taken down. They said clearance activities are continuing and that the death toll could be expected to rise as rescues and investigations continue. Once again, a new wave of violence shows increasing security threats in Pakistan’s northwestern zone bordering Afghanistan.
However, the terrorist attacks have repeatedly surged despite the continued military bombing of extremist communities in recent years in the area. Just days ago, a bomb blast in Naurang Bazaar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa killed nine people, which sparked fears of a major uptick in militant activity.
And in many districts, residents live under an ongoing threat of violence. Bombings, assassinations, and assaults on security forces are regular occurrences. A resurgence of militant attacks in Pakistan was in part caused by an expansion in extremist networks near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border following domestic political and security upheavals that destabilised the country.
Also, the growing scale of attacks has become unsustainable for Pakistan’s authorities and security agencies. During this past decade, Pakistan has put in place a string of security measures, which the government promised to, at some point, actively tackle terrorism and militant organisations.
Constant attacks on army camps, police posts and public places have hollowed out Pakistan’s national security system. In addition the recent attacks is also one of political significance for the people of Pakistan, they threaten the political interests of the concerned people and call for better counter terrorism to utilize arms, good Intelligence Coordination or Counter terrorism measures have risen, and calls by the Pakistani regime have been made over the last few days on tougher counter terrorism measures, to ensure that such an incident do not become yet another struggle.
Security forces remain vigilant in Bajaur and its neighbouring urban areas, as armed militants carry out searches across the Bajaur districts and the border country, and are on high alert for renewed acts of retaliation.
