Security forces in Pakistan’s Chitral Valley repulsed an attack by militants on two military posts. The militants, who were equipped with the latest weapons, entered the border villages and opened fire on the posts.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that 12 militants were killed in the clashes, while four soldiers were martyred. The ISPR also said that the security forces were vigilant and had already been alerted to the possibility of an attack.
The ISPR said that the security forces are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and that such sacrifices of the soldiers further strengthen their resolve. The ISPR also said that the interim Afghan government is expected to fulfill its obligations and deny the use of Afghan soil by terrorists for perpetrating acts of terrorism against Pakistan.
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According to sources, the militants affiliated with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan had entered the border villages in Chitral’s Bumburet Valley and set up their sanctuaries on hilltops. They fired from hilltops at the paramilitary Chitral Scouts of FC and local police.
The local residents also confirmed the clashes between the security forces and the militants in the Astoi area of Bumburet and Jinjiret Koh area in Lower Chitral. They also reported sporadic clashes on Wednesday evening as they heard gunshots in the mountains.
The Chitral Scouts were put on alert at the border with Kunar and Nuristan provinces of Afghanistan. The Afghanistan-based militants had threatened to attack Chitral a few days ago, prompting the authorities to beef up the security.
The sources said that the militants chose to target the comparatively peaceful Chitral Valley after they suffered heavy losses in South and North Waziristan, and the adjacent southern districts at the hands of security forces. Life was normal in the valley but the local population was visibly concerned.
The Chitral-Bamburet Road was closed to traffic after reported clashes. Official sources said the road was closed to facilitate the security forces in deploying their reinforcements to the troubled spots. Local residents claimed to have seen the security forces being moved to the border areas between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
A local resident told The News from Chitral city that the militants had come to high pastures above 12,000 feet of the sea level and set up their nests there. They were firing down into the valleys. There were no villages close by but there were side valleys. In the main valley, life was normal except for security checks. The forces were responding.
The attack on Chitral checkposts is the latest in a series of attacks by militants in Pakistan. In recent months, there have been several attacks on security forces in the country’s northwest, including in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and the tribal areas.
The Pakistani government has vowed to take tough action against the militants and has said that it will not allow them to disrupt peace in the country.