Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Two soldiers were martyred and five militants killed after security forces foiled a suicide attack on a convoy in Bannu district the military’s media wing reported.

According to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) the intelligence based operation was launched after credible reports about militants allegedly backed by India including a suicide bomber in the area. The attacker’s vehicle was intercepted before reaching populated areas preventing potential mass casualties.

During the ensuing gun battle, security forces traced militant hideouts and killed five suspected terrorists. In a final act of retaliation militants rammed an explosives laden vehicle into a convoy vehicle resulting in the martyrdom of Lieutenant Colonel Shahzada Gul Faraz and Sepoy Karamat Shah. Lt Col Faraz was praised for leading from the front in counterterrorism missions.

The ISPR accused militants of operating from Afghan soil and criticized Afghan Taliban authorities for not preventing cross border attacks. Operations under the Azm e Istehkam campaign part of the National Action Plan, will continue to eliminate terrorism the statement added reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to combating militancy.