Taliban militants killed at least four Pakistani soldiers and injured seven in an attack at two border check-posts in the restive northwestern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province's Chitral district on Wednesday, reported news agency PTI, citing army officials. According to the Inter Services Public Relations, the media wing of the army, two military posts located close to the Afghanistan border in Chitral district's Kalash area were attacked by a large group of terrorists that was heavily armed with modern weapons.
Confirming the death, the army said the soldiers died "fighting gallantly" during the exchange and added that the area was being sanitised to eliminate any other terrorists.
"During the fire exchange, 12 terrorists were sent to hell, while a large number has been critically injured," read the statement release by the Pakistani army.
"Security forces of Pakistan are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our soldiers further strengthen our resolve. The brave people of Chitral also stand firmly with the security forces in not allowing the terrorists to ruin the peace of the area,” the ISPR further said.
The responsibility of both the attacks, Ostai security check-post and Janjeerat Koh check-post in the Chitral district has been claimed by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a banned terrorist outfit.
The attack on Ostai security check-post claimed the life of two soldiers, while two soldiers were killed and four others injured in the attack on the Janjereet check post, sources close to PTI said.
All the injured soldiers were shifted to Chitral Scouts Hospital, while one, who was declared critical was airlifted to the Combined Military Hospitals in Peshawar.
In order to help handle the situation better, four choppers also made emergency landing at the Chitral airport, according to PTI sources.