At least 12 Pakistan Army soldiers were killed in a tragic suicide bombing that took place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Tuesday night. The attack occurred when a suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a joint military checkpost in the Malikhel area, located in Bannu district. According to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the attack, which was aimed at breaching the military post, was thwarted by the troops at the location. However, the resulting explosion caused significant structural damage, leading to the deaths of the soldiers.
Details of the Attack
The ISPR confirmed that the explosion resulted in the collapse of part of the perimeter wall and damaged surrounding infrastructure. The blast left 12 soldiers dead, including 10 members of the Pakistan Army and two soldiers of the Frontier Constabulary. The attackers, identified as a group of six militants, were engaged by Pakistani security forces in a gunbattle following the bombing. All six attackers were reportedly killed in the exchange of fire.
The injured soldiers were immediately rushed to a local hospital for treatment. Authorities have initiated a sanitization operation in the region, and an investigation is underway to apprehend those responsible for this devastating act.
Responsibility Claimed by Terror Group
A breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban, the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, has claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing. The group, which has been active in carrying out insurgent attacks in the region, stated that the attack was part of their ongoing efforts to target Pakistani military forces.
In a statement, the Pakistan Army condemned the attack, calling it a “heinous act” and promising to bring the perpetrators to justice. “We will continue to protect our country and its citizens from such attacks,” the ISPR added.
Escalating Violence in Pakistan
This attack comes amid a troubling surge in violence across Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Just earlier this month, a blast at a railway station in Quetta killed 25 people, including 14 Pakistani Army soldiers. According to the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), violence has increased by 90% in Pakistan during the third quarter of 2024.
In response to the growing threat, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a new military offensive in Balochistan province to counter the growing violence from separatist groups. Balochistan, which shares a border with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is also home to critical infrastructure projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), making the region particularly vulnerable to unrest.
Pakistan’s Ongoing Fight Against Terrorism
As Pakistan grapples with rising security concerns in multiple regions, the military and government officials are intensifying their efforts to combat militant groups operating in the area. The tragic loss of life in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa underscores the persistent security challenges faced by the nation in its fight against terrorism.
As investigations into this attack continue, authorities remain focused on neutralizing threats posed by groups like the Hafiz Gul Bahadur faction, while also safeguarding vital infrastructure in the region.