Death toll from Taliban attack reaches 31
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, June 2,IRNA -- Death toll from the Wednesday’s Taliban attack on a Pakistani security forces check post has reached 31, officials said on Thursday.
Up to 200 armed militants attacked a border check post in Upper Dir district in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa province early Thursday morning.
Pakistani officials said that the militants, wearing military uniform, had crossed into Pakistani territory from Afghanistan. The Pakistani Dir district border Afghanistan’s eastern Kunar province.
A spokesman for Pakistani Taliban Omar Hasan claimed responsibility for the deadly attack. He said that only one fighter was killed and two were injured in the fighting.
Officials said that 27 Pakistani security men and four civilians were killed in the attack and a security official claimed that 43 militants were also killed in retaliation by the Pakistani forces.
Both sides exchanged heavy fire and gunship helicopters were also called to help the ground forces, officials said.
District Coordination Officer, Ghulam Muhammad said that bodies of the slain security men have been recovered and sent to their home towns for burial.
Sources said that the Taliban militants also torched two schools in the area.
Taliban militants had been active in the mountainous area of Upper Dir and they also attacked a Pakistani check post two month ago and killed 13 soldiers.
**1412
Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30415716
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
