At least three intelligence agency officials were killed and one other injured when at least 6 suspected Taliban militants ambushed their vehicle in the Frontier Region, connecting Bannu city with North Waziristan on Wednesday morning. Officials claimed two suspected militants were killed during the search operation after the attack. The officials were traveling from Bannu to North Waziristan. When the vehicle entered the Janikhel Frontier Region it was ambushed by unknown militants. Official sources said militants opened indiscriminate firing on the vehicle. Three people were killed and one injured from the firing. The dead included the driver. The injured persons were admitted in the Combined Military Hospital Bannu. After the attack, security forces personnel conducted a search operation in Janikhel and in the Police Station Meeryan jurisdiction. During the search operation, the security forces personnel shot dead two suspect militants.
Security in Bannu’s surrounding areas, adjacent to the Frontier Regions of both Janikhel and Bakakhel, was tightened. The incident caused the closure of Bannu-Miranshah Road for traffic. The Bannu frontier region had been cleared of militants a year and a half ago after a successful military operation. However, in the wake of recent regrouping by militant groups, militants are reported to have reestablished their presence in the area.
