RAWALPINDI — A lieutenant colonel and a sepoy were martyred when a suicide bomber targeted a security forces convoy in Bannu district during an ongoing intelligence-based operation, the military said on February 21.
In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations said troops were acting on reports of militant presence in the area, including a suicide attacker. The leading element of the convoy intercepted the bomber, preventing a possible attack in Bannu city.
Security forces killed five militants in an exchange of fire, according to the statement. The situation escalated when an explosive-laden vehicle struck one of the security vehicles.
The ISPR identified the martyred personnel as Lt Col Shahzada Gul Faraz, 43, from Mansehra, and Sepoy Karamat Shah, 28, from Peshawar.
The military reiterated its commitment to continuing counterterrorism operations, stating that efforts would persist under the broader campaign aimed at eliminating militant threats across the country.
Independent confirmation of the details was not immediately available.
