“In early hours of 15 July 24, a group of ten terrorists attacked Bannu Cantonment. The attempt to enter the cantonment was effectively thwarted by the security forces personnel, which forced the terrorists to ram an explosive laden vehicle into perimeter wall of the cantonment,” Inter-Services Public Relations said in a statement.

The statement said that suicide blast led to collapse of portion of the wall and damaged the adjoining infrastructure.

ISPR also revealed that eight soldiers were martyred in the attack including Naib Subedar Muhammad Shehzad (44 years, District Poonch, AJK), Havildar Zil-e-Hussain (39 years, District Khushab), Havildar Shahzad Ahmed (28 years, District Neelum, AJK), Sepoy Ashfaq Hussain Khan (30 years, District Muzzafarabad, AJK), Sepoy Sobhan Majeed (22 years, District Muzzafarabad, AJK), Sepoy Imtiaz Khan (30 years, District Karak), Sepoy Arsalan Aslam (26 years, District Bahawalpur) of Pakistan Army and Lance Naik Sabz Ali (34 years, Lakki Marwat) of Frontier Constabulary.

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The statement added that the ‘timely and effective response’ by the security forces prevented major catastrophe, saving precious innocent lives.

“The heinous act of terrorism has been undertaken by Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, which operates from Afghanistan and has used Afghan soil to orchestrate acts of terrorism inside Pakistan in the past as well,” ISPR said.

“Pakistan has consistently raised its concerns with Interim Afghan Government, asking them to deny persistent use of Afghan soil by the terrorists and take effective action against such elements,” it added.

Earlier reports had indicated that the attack at 4:40 am and four soldiers were martyred.