Terrorists' designs foiled by security forces in Tank: Pakistan military

ISLAMABAD: Twelve attackers were killed after security forces repelled a terrorist assault on joint police check post in Tank district, while 15 personnel, including 12 military personnel, two policemen and a government official, embraced martyrdom in the attack, according to a military media statement.

Pakistan refers to the TTP as “Khawarij,” invoking a historical label for a radical sect in early Islam that violently opposed established leadership, accused fellow Muslims of disbelief, and justified rebellion through extremist interpretations.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the attack was carried out on the night of July 23-24 on joint police check post in Tank district by "Khwarij belonging to Indian-sponsored, Fitna Al Khwarij."

According to the statement, the assailants sought to breach the check post's security, but "their nefarious designs were swiftly and decisively foiled by the vigilant and resolute response of security forces." It said troops displayed "unwavering courage and professional excellence" and engaged the fleeing attackers with precision, eliminating 12 attackers.

The ISPR said the attackers, in their desperation, rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the perimeter wall. It said the blast seriously damaged the check post infrastructure, and "fifteen brave sons of soil including twelve military, two policemen and a government official ex forest department rendered the ultimate sacrifice and embraced Shahadat."

The statement said a sanitization operation was being conducted to eliminate any other "Indian sponsored Kharji" found in the area, adding that the counter-terrorism campaign under the vision "Azm e Istehkam," approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, would continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.

"The sacrifices of our brave soldiers further reinforce our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our nation at all costs," the statement said.