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At least 11 security officials were martyred when a suicide bomber blew himself up near a Pakistan Army camp in Kabal area of Swat on Saturday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
Thirteen other soldiers were injured in the bombing that was carried out at the sports area of an army unit, the military's media wing said in a statement.
What we know so far
At least 11 soldiers, including an officer, lost their lives in the attack
The attack was a suicide bombing, says ISPR
The suicide bomber targeted recreational area of an army unit in Swat
13 officials were injured in the attack
The attack was claimed by the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in an email to journalists, AFP reported.
ISPR had earlier said three soldiers were martyred in the attack. The death toll rose after seven critically injured soldiers succumbed to their injuries. An officer is among those martyred in the attack, ISPR said.
Initial reports suggested that the bomber blew himself up in a ground where soldiers were playing volleyball.
According to some sources, as many as 16 people were injured in the blast. All the injured were shifted to Combined Military Hospital Saidu Sharif.
Security forces have cordoned off the area and are searching for possible accomplices of the bomber.
The picturesque Swat Valley was under the de facto control of TTP in 2007-2009. They imposed their harsh brand of sharia law, and carried out public floggings and executions until a military operation drove them out.
The area has seen sporadic militant attacks since, including assassinations of local leaders who cooperate with the government. Today's bombing is the first major attack in over three years in the valley.
Although peace had returned to Swat after the 2009 army operation, security has been a primary concern in the region. Police and armed forces personnel jointly man several checkpoints. There are approximately 6,000 policemen in Swat and most of them are deployed on checkpoints.
A few days ago, Swat police claimed to have arrested two militants, in the same area, allegedly involved in anti-state activities during spillover of militancy to the Swat valley.
According to Kabal police, following a tipoff, they along with the CTD police raided a house in Kabal where they found a wanted militant, Siraj Khan, and arrested him. In the meantime, the CTD police carried out another raid at Shawar area in Matta tehsil and arrested a militant commander, Mohammad Ali Shah, who was allegedly involved in attacks on security forces.
Comments (33) Closed
Very sad news, may our soldiers rest in peace. Please cross into Afghanistan and take them out!
RIP brave soldiers!
inna lilla he wa inna elihe rajoon. Your blood will never go in waste, inshallah.
send our air force to destroy ttp camps in Afghanistan.
Inna Lillahe wa Inna Elaihe Rajeoun
Attack on Pakistan by terrorists supported by Afghanistan and its allies. This is going on for a long time and these terrorists are funded and supported by Pakistan's neighbours and friends.
R. I.P
RIP fallen sols
May their souls rest in Peace It shows over and over again, we need multi prong strategy to wipe out this curse. We need to implement the Action Plan we made when our children payed the price. We need to eliminate the forces of evil, forces of hatred among us.
Last week Sofi Mohmaad was released
Why is Pakistani govt. not acting against the afghanis...? they never let go a chance to blame us for their failures. now is the time to target the terrorists backed by our enemies inside Afghanistan.
Very sad
Very sad to hear the news. RIP to Pakistan soldiers.
A coward suicide attack planned and executed by our enemies, not knowing that such acts make us more resolute, strong, united and determine to defeat our internal and and external enemies. Our soldier's blood will bring a long lasting peace in the region and they will be remembered for their sacrifices.
I m feeling pained by heart when a Soldier dies, coz a nation loses an asset and a family a brave heart..RIP
This is what we get for releasing Sufi Mohmmad.
Ssg need to be sent into Afghanistan to take out ttp
Extremely sad event. Our people have witnessed lots of bloodshed, this menace of terrorism have ruined lives of thousands of families. Pak should seal its border with Afghanistan !
Inna lilla he wa inna elihe rajoon. Enough is enough. New elections should be called ASAP and put this country in order!
We have to be very careful, enemies are living with us. We must have to develop safe neighbourhood eye watch system.
Very sad. Condolences to all families. Need to root out this evil from the society!
Certainly sad news for Pakistan.
Salutes to brave soldiers. Shame on coward attackers. RIP
These are my men! These are my soldiers! We will remember you always! Their sacrifice cannot be in vain, we must fix this country and honor these people! They have died hoping things change.
RIP brave soldiers and officers of our Pak Armed forces. Who ever they are where they are will soon hear from our Armed Forces.
Pakistan Zindabad.
Rest In Peace Soldiers
RIP souls.
look our politicians they never condolence this i stime where our leader who has courage to say any one from now involved to kill Pakistani we will declare a war full war this i sthe only way you stop them trust me they are coward they wil runaway
Tit for tat???
I fully support act
that is why it is necessary to act against all forms of terrorism.
Very sad. Again who are the cause of these problems for the country?
Sad, very sad..unfortunately not a peep in international media about this. If 11 soldiers from any other country had been killed the news would have made headlines globally. Pakistan needs to do a better job at providing the world an insight into the struggles and sacrifices made by it in its fight against terror and extremism.
Indeed sad news, this has to end now regardless who the target is. Is there anyone in our Pak land who can think differently and stop these incidents? None will help us if we don't protect our own land and it's people.