Islamist attack and special forces counter-siege in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
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.
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.
A policeman and a soldier were injured when the extremists "took over the premises," according to an official source. According to the Provincial government spokesperson the militant demanding the safe passage to Afghanistan via helicopter
They took all the workers of the centre as hostages.
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.
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.
References.
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