11 security officials embrace martyrdom in Swat suicide attack

SWAT: At least 11 security officials embraced martyrdom while 13 others were injured in a suicide attack targeting a military camp in Sharifabad area of Swat’s Kabal Tehsil, ARY News reported on Saturday.

“11 security officials embraced shahadat while 13 injured [in the blast],” Director General Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor wrote on his Facebook account.

The attacker targeted the army unit’s sports area, according to DG ISPR.

Security forces and police soon cordoned off the area and a search operation was started to arrest the terrorists.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi condemned the attack.

“No cowardly attack can deter us in pursuing our struggle against the menace of terrorism to its logical conclusion. We will continue our fight till the last trace is rooted out,” the prime minister said in a statement.

Nation pays homage to 13 soldiers who embraced shahadat in a reprehensible suicide attack in Swat
We pray for early recovery of the 11 injured soldiers
May Allah Almighty grant fortitude to families of Shuhada

Nation’s resolve to decimate terror from Pak soil is sturdy

— Pak Minister Defence (@PakMnstrDefence) February 3, 2018

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) later claimed responsibility for the attack in an email sent to journalists.

TTP had took partial control of the Swat Valley in 2007, the first territory outside of the country’s tribal districts where they were able to establish their rule.

They were defeated two years later after a series of military operations that have since been hailed as the blueprint for the Pakistani military’s continuing battle against the group.