ISLAMABAD – The email from TTP follows the email from White House may bewithin 48 hours. Is it a coincidence ?
Email received to journalists from TTP has accepted the responsibility forthe Swat suicide attack on Pakistan Army post in Swat.
Atleast 11 security officials were martyred when a suicide bomber blewhimself up near a Pakistan Army camp in Kabal area of Swat on Saturday, theInter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
Thirteen other soldiers were injured in the bombing that was carried out atthe sports area of an army unit, the military’s media wing said in astatement.——————————What we know so far
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At least 11 soldiers, including an officer, lost their lives in the attack –
The attack was a suicide bombing, says ISPR –
The suicide bomber targeted recreational area of an army unit in Swat –
13 officials were injured in the attack
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The attack was claimed by the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in an emailto journalists, AFP reported.
ISPR had earlier said three soldiers were martyred in the attack. The deathtoll rose after seven critically injured soldiers succumbed to theirinjuries. An officer is among those martyred in the attack, ISPR said.
Initial reports suggested that the bomber blew himself up in a ground wheresoldiers were playing volleyball.
According to some sources, as many as 16 people were injured in the blast.All the injured were shifted to Combined Military Hospital Saidu Sharif.
Security forces have cordoned off the area and are searching for possibleaccomplices of the bomber.
The picturesque Swat Valley was under the de facto control of TTP in2007-2009. They imposed their harsh brand of sharia law, and carried outpublic floggings and executions until a military operation drove them out.
The area has seen sporadic militant attacks since, including assassinationsof local leaders who cooperate with the government. Today’s bombing is thefirst major attack in over three years in the valley.
Although peace had returned to Swat after the 2009 army operation, securityhas been a primary concern in the region. Police and armed forces personneljointly man several checkpoints. There are approximately 6,000 policemen inSwat and most of them are deployed on checkpoints.
A few days ago, Swat police claimed to have arrested two militants, in thesame area, allegedly involved in anti-state activities during spillover ofmilitancy to the Swat valley.
According to Kabal police, following a tipoff, they along with the CTDpolice raided a house in Kabal where they found a wanted militant, SirajKhan, and arrested him. In the meantime, the CTD police carried out anotherraid at Shawar area in Matta tehsil and arrested a militant commander,Mohammad Ali Shah, who was allegedly involved in attacks on security forces.