Islamabad, May 11: Pakistan had a bloody Sunday. At least 21 soldiers were killed and dozens injured in a terrorist attack on a police checkpoint in northwest Pakistan. The attackers first detonated a car bomb at the police checkpoint and then opened fire, leaving the police with no time to recover or retaliate. After the attack, the attackers snatched the policemen’s weapons and fled the scene.
The armed group Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan has claimed responsibility for the attack. The attack took place late Saturday night in Bannu, a district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Bannu is a Pakistani district bordering Afghanistan. It is suspected that the attackers may have fled across the border into Afghanistan after completing their operation. The area is already considered a stronghold for the militants, who have frequently attacked police, military and paramilitary forces.
Bannu police officer Zahid Khan said a suicide bomber and several attackers detonated a vehicle laden with explosives near a security checkpoint. Several explosions were heard immediately afterwards. The blast was so powerful that it caused the checkpoint to collapse, he said.
The vehicle laden with explosives attacked the police checkpoint. The police checkpoint was attacked after a powerful blast that destroyed most of the building. At least 21 soldiers were killed in the attack. Three of the injured are in hospital.
Police sources said the attackers also used drones during the attack. The blast caused extensive damage to nearby residential areas, injuring two civilians. Rescue agencies and ambulances from government hospitals have been sent to the scene. Officials said an emergency has been declared in government hospitals in Bannu. These attacks could lead to renewed fighting on the Afghan border.