The Pakistani army retook control of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) facility in Bannu on Tuesday, just two days after it was captured by Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) fighters.
Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told the National Assembly that the soldiers freed all the hostages during the two-hour-long operation, killing 33 militants in the process, while seven surrendered. Between 10 and 15 soldiers were injured during the operation.
Social media accounts showed smoke emerging from the facility during the operation. Eyewitnesses also said that they heard several explosions from the facility.
Inter-Services Public Relations Director General Major General Ahmed Sharif revealed that on Sunday, one of the prisoners at the facility snatched a weapon from a security officer and freed the other prisoners. With the support of TTP militants from outside the facility, they then raided the armoury and opened fire at the CTD officers.
Subsequently, the TTP demanded safe passage for the prisoners to Afghanistan. After taking control of the facility, the group released 34 members; they killed one constable officer and injured another. It then released a video urging Bannu’s elders and religious leaders to mediate between the militants and the security forces to avoid further bloodshed.
#بنوں اپریشن: یرغمالیوں کو چھڑانے کے لئے سکیورٹی فورسز کا اپریشن جاری ہے، دھماکوں اور فائرنگ کی آوازیں سنی جاسکتی ہیں pic.twitter.com/wvBsxwWscU
— Tahir Khan (@taahir_khan) December 20, 2022
Sharif said they “completely rejected” demands for safe passage and initiated a “heavy exchange of fire,” as the militants were unwilling to surrender. Ultimately, however, they were able to secure an unconditional surrender.
Defence Minister Asif clarified that the 33 terrorists killed in the operation were all affiliated with different groups.
However, the TTP claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement on Monday, confirming that its fighters had taken CTD security personnel hostage.
Defence Minister Asif blamed opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) leader and former Prime Minister Imran Khan for the “total collapse” of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government.
He said the fall of the CTD in KP can be attributed to the provincial government’s failure to perform its duties over the past nine years. He added that the local government had “no role” in the army operation.
Resurgence in terrorism poses a renewed threat to our national security. Our valiant security forces are fully capable of dealing with this threat. I pay rich tributes to our brave sons of the soil who took part in Bannu operation. May Allah accept the sacrifices of our martyrs
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) December 21, 2022
He also announced that the army will undertake further counterterrorism operations across KP, noting that the region has become particularly volatile due to the “spillover impacts” from the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan last year.
There is clear evidence of “terrorists from across the border or locally” gaining power in the PTI-ruled province, he remarked.
According to official data cited by Geo TV, KP witnessed 118 terror attacks from mid-August till the end of November, resulting in the death of 26 police officers, 12 officials from other law enforcement agencies, and 17 civilians. At least 50 others also suffered injuries.
On Sunday, four police officers were killed during an attack on a police station in Lakki Marwat, Bannu. An Intelligence Bureau sub-inspector was also shot dead in Peshawar on Monday. In addition, a suicide attack earlier this week in Northern Waziristan killed two civilians and a soldier.
A series of blasts in Khuzdar, Balochistan on Tuesday also injured 20 people.
I must salute the valiant officers & soldiers of Pakistan Army who bravely fought the terrorists in Bannu operation. I condole the Shahadat of Subedar Major Khurshid Akram, Sepahi Saeed & Sepahi Babar. May they live in eternal peace. Because of these sacrifices does Pakistan live
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) December 21, 2022
KP politicians have also received a rising number of death threats.
This shift in the security situation coincides with the TTP ending its ceasefire with the Pakistani government at the end of last month, following which it ordered its fighters across the country to launch nationwide attacks.
While the Taliban and the TTP are separate entities, they share the same core hardline ideology and have carried out several deadly attacks over the years. Since its formation in December 2007, the TTP has killed thousands and taken control of several tribal areas, where it has imposed sharia law.
The Pakistani military temporarily neutralised the TTP in the aftermath of the 2014 attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar, wherein it killed 149 people, including 132 children.
However, it resumed its violent activities after the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in August last year.