Pakistan: Islamist militants kill 16 security personnel
An overnight raid by Islamists on a Pakistani army outpost near the border with Afghanistan left 16 security personnel dead.
Pakistani troops observe the area from hilltop post on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border
TTP militants have increased their attacks in Pakistan in recent months, mostly targeting members of the security forcesImage: Anjum Naveed/AP/picture alliance
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Sixteen security personnel were killed in an attack by Islamist militants in northwestern Pakistan early on Saturday, officials said.
The attack on a security forces post took place at 2 a.m. (2100 GMT on Friday) and the attackers had used light and heavy weapons, police deputy superintendent Hidayat Ullah told Reuters. “A search operation is underway in the area,” he added.
The siege began after midnight and lasted about two hours as about 30 militants attacked the mountainous outpost from three sides, a senior intelligence official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
“Sixteen soldiers were martyred and five were critically injured in the assault,” he said. “The militants set fire to the wireless communication equipment, documents and other items present at the checkpoint.”
