ISLAMABAD: Supporters of the Pashtun Tahfuz Movement (PTM), led by national assembly members Ali Wazir and Mohsin Javed (Dawar) allegedly attacked army checkpost in North Waziristan and injured five soldiers on Sunday.
According to the army’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the group assaulted the Kharqamar checkpost in Boyya, the tribal district of North Waziristan earlier this morning.
The ISPR said the group wanted to exert pressure for release of suspected terrorists’ facilitator arrested the other day. “Troops at the checkpost exercised maximum restraint in the face of provocation and direct firing on the post,” it added.
Due to the firing of the group five army soldiers sustained injuries and in exchange of fire three individuals who attacked the post lost their lives and 10 others received injuries, the army media’s wing said. All injured were transported to the Army Hospital. Later three more injured succumbed to their injuries, according to a private TV channel.
Lawmaker Wazir along with eight individuals have been arrested while Javed is at large after inciting the crowd, it added.
Meanwhile, an Afghan news agency, Pajhwok, claiming to be the largest independent agency of the country, posted gruesome images on its official Twitter handle describing them the injured PTM protesters.
However, hours after social media users debunked their false claims, the news agency issued an apology and removed the misleading post.
In February, MNA Dawar also faced severe backlash for appreciating Afghan President Ashraf Ghani statement which had been unanimously condemned by Pakistani politicians and media as “gross interference” in Pakistan’s internal matters.
Earlier this month the country’s top civil and military leadership have indicated the involvement of foreign elements in trying to stir up trouble in the erstwhile tribal areas.
Chief military spokesperson Maj General Asif Ghafoor during a press conference last month had signalled taking legal action against the leadership of PTM,
On May 6, a first information report (FIR) was also registered against members of Pashtun Tahafuz Movement’s (PTM) central committee including MNA Ali Wazir in North Waziristan for inciting people to revolt against the state.
Meanwhile, Hours after a deadly clash between Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) supporters and the security forces in North Waziristan tribal district, the top military spokesperson on Sunday vowed not to allow anyone to ‘undo the gains of decades-long national struggle and sacrifices of brave Pakistani tribesmen’.
At least five soldiers were injured after a PTM mob, led by national assembly members Ali Wazir and Mohsin Javed (Dawar) allegedly attacked an army checkpost in Boyya. At least three alleged attackers were killed and 10 others injured in exchange of fire, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Taking to Twitter, DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor said, “Innocent PTM supporters/workers need care. Only few are inciting and using them against state institutions for vested agenda.”
Agencies add: PTM leader Ali Wazir had recently warned the military of grave consequences.
The incident took place at Boya area in Miranshah, the main town in North Waziristan region, where PTM senior leaders Mohsin Dawar and Ali Wazir, were allegedly inciting the people against the armed forces and the state, sources said.
Mohsin Dawar and his supporters were also carrying arms during the instigating speech, said the sources.
The incident occurred at the place where the PTM was staging a sit-in protest after arrest of a suspect, sources said.
It is pertinent to mention here that PTM leader Ali Wazir, Members of National Assembly had in a public meeting issued threats to the state institutions.