Islamabad: A Taliban suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden vehicle into a paramilitary camp in northwest Pakistan on Saturday killing at least nine troopers and injuring 17 others, the second attack in as many days aimed at avenging a militant commander’s killing in a US drone strike.
The bomber attacked an office of the Frontier Corps in Bannu city of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. The single-storey building and several nearby shops were severely damaged by the powerful explosion.
Five troopers were killed instantly and four more bodies were later found in the rubble, officials told the media. The 17 injured security personnel were taken to a military hospital in Bannu, where officials said several troopers were in critical condition.
Sources said nearly 300 paramilitary troopers were living in the camp, which had several residential barracks. The camp is a base for Frontier Corps personnel deployed in nearby North Waziristan tribal region, considered a safe haven for Taliban and al-Qaeda elements.
The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the attack and said it would continue targeting security forces. “We claim responsibility for the attack‚ which was carried out to avenge the killing of Taliban commander Taj Gul in a US drone strike in South Waziristan last month,” Taliban spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan said. “Our attacks will continue against the security forces.” Bannu is located 40 km from Miranshah, the main town in North Waziristan. (PTI)
