Suicide attack kills 9 troops in Bannu

BANNU: A suicide car bomb attack at the main office of the Tochi Scouts on Kohat Road in Bannu killed nine Frontier Corps (FC) soldiers and wounded at least 17 others on Saturday.

The attack took place in Bannu city where the bomber targeted the camp office of the paramilitary FC troops, who are deployed in North Waziristan, which borders Afghanistan.

Police sources said the bomber drove his explosives-packed vehicle into the FC building and destroyed the check post near it. The camp office was also damaged in the attack.

Initially five FC personnel were killed but later the toll mounted to nine as the bodies were recovered from the debris. 17 other personnel were also injured in the attack. The injured were shifted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH).

Investigation so far has revealed that at least 200 kg of explosives were used in the blast.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have claimed responsibility for the attack.