11 soldiers of Pak Army martyred in suicide bombing by terrorists in Swat

At least 11 security personnel, including an officer, were martyred in Swat’s tehsil Kabal on Saturday evening when a suicide attacker targeted an Army unit, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Those martyred include seven personnel who were critically injured in the attack. The attack on the Army unit also injured 13 other security personnel.
The Army’s media wing added that the attacker targetted the sports area of the armed forces’ unit.
The explosion took place in the Shareefabad area of the tehsil. A large contingent of security personnel secured the area after the attack and started an initial investigation into the blast.
Government sources said rescue teams reached the area and shifted the injured to a hospital in Saidu Sharif.
Earlier in December, security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in Swat’s Jahan Abad area and killed two wanted terrorists.
The operation was conducted after intelligence agencies received accurate information regarding movement of terrorists, who were crossing over from Afghanistan and entering Swat valley.
Operations in the valley
Swat in northwest Pakistan referred to by some as the ‘Switzerland of Pakistan”, is known for its stunning natural beauty. The valley was briefly controlled by the Taliban between 2007 and 2009.
The armed forces have carried a series of military operations against local and foreign terrorists in the scenic Swat valley.
Operation Rah-e-Haq was launched thrice in the valley and Shangla district in 2007, 2008, and 2009 respectively.
The army advanced toward Mingora, the largest city in the valley after it launched the Swat Operation, also known as Operation Rah-e-Rast, in May 2009.