On 18 December 2022, the Pakistani Taliban carried out an attack on a counterterrorism centre in the Bannu District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. They took the officers hostage until 20 December, when Pakistan's security forces lay siege to the centre, releasing all the hostages and killing 25 militants inside. Two officers were killed during the siege.[1]
Background
An Islamist insurgency began in 2004 in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and North-West Frontier Province, which are now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Bannu was bombed in 2014 and 2018.
Initial attack
Escape and takeover
On 18 December 2022, terrorists incarcerated at a Counter Terrorism Department facility in Bannu Cantt, Pakistan managed to escape their cells and held security personnel hostage for over 48 hours.[2][3]
A policeman and a soldier were injured when the extremists "took over the premises," according to an official source.[4] According to the Provincial government spokesperson the militant demanding the safe passage to Afghanistan via helicopter[5][6]
They took all the workers of the centre as hostages.[7]
Perpetrators
The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.
Reaction
During the press briefing US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price, while responding to a question regarding the Bannu situation offers 'assistance' to Pakistan and says Government of Pakistan is a partner when it comes to these shared challenges, including the challenge of terrorist groups inside of Afghanistan.[8]
Siege
Outcome
On 20 December at 12:30 pm, the Special Service Group launched an operation in which all the terrorists were killed and hostages were freed. The CTD compound was cleared by 2:30 p.m.[9][10]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e "25 militants killed in Bannu CTD operation: ISPR". The Express Tribune. 20 December 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
- ^ "Two martyred as militants seize CTD facility in Bannu". The Express Tribune. 18 December 2022.
- ^ Ahmad, Jibran; Mehsud, Saud (19 December 2022). "Hostage talks start after Pakistani Taliban militants seize interrogators". Reuters.
- ^ Marwat, Ghulam Mursalin (19 December 2022). "Militants seize part of Bannu CTD centre, take hostages". DAWN.COM.
- ^ "KP CTD inefficient at countering terrorism: Report". 2022.
- ^ "Pakistan in 'negotiations with TTP' in Afghanistan". 19 December 2022.
- ^ Pakistan's forces kill Taliban militants who seized anti-terror centre for three days
- ^ "US offers 'assistance' to Pakistan on Bannu situation". 20 December 2022.
- ^ Sirajuddin, Ali Akbar (20 December 2022). "All terrorists killed, 2 SSG commandos martyred as operation at Bannu CTD centre concludes: Khawaja Asif". DAWN.COM.
- ^ Mehsud, Saud; Ahmad, Jibran (18 December 2022). "Militants seize counter-terrorism centre in Pakistan, take hostages". Reuters.