An 18-hour operation led to the elimination of all 10 militants who targeted a Pakistani military facility in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The attack, carried out by a suicide bomber who rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into an army housing complex, resulted in the tragic loss of eight soldiers.
The splinter group of Pakistani Taliban, under the leadership of militant commander Gul Bahadur, claimed responsibility for the attack, which has been strongly condemned by Pakistani officials, including Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
The military reported that the suicide attack caused significant damage to the outer wall of the complex and nearby infrastructure, leading to the casualties among the soldiers. However, a swift and effective response by security forces successfully neutralized all ten attackers, averting a larger catastrophe.
Pakistan has consistently raised concerns with the Taliban government in Afghanistan, urging them to prevent the use of Afghan soil by terrorists and to take decisive action against such elements. The Pakistani armed forces remain committed to defending the nation against terrorism and are prepared to take necessary measures to counter threats originating from Afghanistan.
Notably, the recent surge in militant attacks in Pakistan, particularly in the northwest bordering Afghanistan, has been attributed to groups like Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). While distinct from the Afghan Taliban, TTP has intensified its assaults on security forces following the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.
