PESHAWAR, Pakistan – Dozens of militants launched an assault on an oil and gas plant near the Afghanistan border in Pakistan’s remote northwest on Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of four security troops and two private guards, as reported by officials.
The attack took place in Hangu, a troubled district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, targeting the oil and gas extraction facility operated by MOL Pakistan Oil and Gas, a multinational European company. In response, oil production at the facility was temporarily halted.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack thus far.
According to the company, the attackers did not breach the facility itself but engaged in a confrontation with the security troops and guards stationed outside.
In a statement, the company mentioned, “Production from the wells has been temporarily shut down by remote access and the wells are now secured.”
The incident led to a fierce shootout, as stated by Sawab Khan, the local police chief, who added that an extensive search operation was underway to apprehend the fleeing attackers.
Blame for the attack is likely to be attributed to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban. The militant group has intensified its attacks in recent months after unilaterally ending a ceasefire with the Pakistani government in November.
The TTP, which is allied with the Afghan Taliban, often seeks refuge across the border in Afghanistan, straining relations between the two countries.
As investigations continue, authorities are determined to bring those responsible to justice and restore security in the volatile region.