At least five persons, including three personnel of Levies, were killed and several others injured in a suicide attack on the main gate of the Levies Forces Headquarters in Ghalanai area in Mohmand Agency on Wednesday morning.

Following the terrorist attack in Mohmand Agency, the Frontier Corps (FC) launched a search operation in Ghalanai area and killed five militants.

A spokesperson for the FC said the search operation was carried out in Sheikh Banda, a suburban area of Ghalanai town in Mohmand Agency. An encounter took place between terrorists and FC personnel during the raid, the spokesman said, in which five terrorists were killed.

Those killed in the attack on Levies headquarters included a school teacher whereas four amongst the injured are personnel of Levies Force. Officials told media that early morning when officials and personnel of Levies Force were coming on to their duty, two terrorists riding on a bike made an attempt to enter the HQs. However, they were stopped by security personnel guarding the main gate. One suicide bomber exploded his vest at the main gate whereas his accomplice was shot dead by security forces.

According to officials both the terrorists were suicide bombers and the explosions were too severe. As a result, at least four persons including two personnel of Levies were killed and several others injured. Later on, a jawan of Levies Force also succumbed to injuries in the hospital. A number of persons, including four personnel of security forces, sustained injuries. Almost all the injured were admitted in the agency headquarter hospital at Ghalanai while two were referred to Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, due to critical nature of injuries.

Soon after the suicide attack, a curfew like situation was imposed all over Ghalanai Town and main road linking Charsada with Bajaur Agency was closed for traffic. Later, personnel of security forces embarked on a search operation. Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) through a statement stated that with timely action, personnel of security forces foiled the attempt aimed at killing a large number of people inside the Levies Force’s headquarters.

The headquarters are surrounded by offices of the political administration, Mohmand Press Club, a government school and others. Officials are claiming that terrorists entered Mohmand Agency from Afghanistan side. So far no group or individual has claimed the responsibility for this latest act of violence in Mohmand Agency which has remained a stronghold of militants in the recent past. A number of hardcore militants sheltering in Afghanistan also belong to Mohmand Agency who from time to time carrying out such heinous and inhuman terror acts.

Besides Mohmand Agency, KP police also embarked on a search operation in several villages of Charsada district, bordering with Mohmand Agency. During the search operation, security forces arrested around 20 suspects.

Meanwhile, Peshawar police conducted a door to door search operation in different parts of the city and arrested several suspects which included seven Afghan nationals.

In the wake of recent violent acts, high ranking civil and police authorities are engaged in discussion to find out ways and means for countering the terrorist.