17 injured in militant attack on Pakistan military complex

Motorcycle-borne militants lobbed two grenades at the gate of a high-security military complex at Risalpur in northwest Pakistan today, injuring 17 people, including five security personnel.

The militants struck at a time when a large group of youth were present at the gate to register for a recruitment drive, witnesses and police officials said.

The militants hurled two grenades and immediately fled.

Police officials said five security personnel and 12 civilians were taken to hospitals in nearby Nowshera city with minor injuries.

All the injured were out of danger and several of them were discharged after being provided first aid, they said.

The gate for the military complex on the G T Road leads to the Risalpur Cantonment, the Pakistan Air Force academy and several army training facilities.

Security forces, including army troops, cordoned off the area and launched a search operation but were unable to make any arrests.

DSP Muhammad Riaz Khan told reporters that several roadblocks had been set up and additional forces deployed in the area.

No group claimed responsibility for the attack though such incidents are usually blamed on the Pakistani Taliban.

On Saturday, security forces foiled an attempt by Taliban militants to storm an air force base in Peshawar.

Five militants were killed when troops repulsed the attack while five more were killed during a gun battle in a neighbourhood near the airport.

A policeman and four civilians were also killed in the incident.