New Delhi: The audacious attack in Pakistan’s Bannu cantonment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tuesday, which included two suicide bombings and a raid by a faction of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), left at least 18 dead, including 13 civilians and five soldiers, besides injuring over 40 people, according to an AP News report.
The attack began shortly after sunset, when Jaish Al-Fursan militants drove explosive-laden vehicles into the compound walls, a tactic known as suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (SVBIED). The blasts partially breached the cantonment’s perimeter wall, creating chaos.
This breach in the perimeter wall was followed by a raid by a group of at least 16 militants who tried to storm the compound.
However, Pakistani soldiers engaged them, killing 12 terrorists besides four suicide bombers. Five soldiers were killed during the operation, according to a statement by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) of the Pakistan Armed Forces.
The shock wave of the twin blasts resulted in several nearby civilian houses being damaged. The biggest impact was felt by a mosque in nearby Publua, whose roof fell down on the worshippers inside. This led to maximum casualties.
Gunshots echoed into early Wednesday morning as security forces conducted a thorough search of the area, aiming to eliminate any remaining militants involved in the attack.
“The assailants sought to breach the cantonment’s security; however, their nefarious designs were swiftly and decisively foiled by the vigilant and resolute response of Pakistan’s security forces. In their desperation, the attackers rammed two explosive-laden vehicles into the perimeter wall,” the ISPR statement read.
Bannu in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is known for the presence of militant groups, such as the Pakistani Taliban. The militant group Jaish Al-Fursan, a faction with ties to the TTP, claimed responsibility for the attack. The group referred to the operation as “Operation Inteqaam-e-Lal Masjid”.
The attack in Bannu is the third such incident in Pakistan since the beginning of Ramadan, amid growing concerns on the resurgence of militant violence in the region. Militants have previously targeted Bannu Cantonment with deadly attacks in November and July 2024.
Pakistan has blamed militant groups based in Afghanistan, accusing the Taliban government in Kabul of insufficient action to curb cross-border militancy. The Afghan Taliban has denied these accusations.
Pakistan’s leadership condemned Tuesday’s assault and vowed to continue its efforts to combat terrorism. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the swift action by security forces to neutralise the attackers and prevent further casualties. The government has called on the interim Afghan government to take stronger action against militant groups operating from Afghan soil, Dawn reported.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur expressed grief over the attack and ordered an inquiry into the incident. He also assured that medical aid would be provided to the injured, while Governor Faisal Karim Kundi extended his condolences to the families of the victims.
Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions, Amir Muqam, condemned the attack, calling it a “heinous act,” especially during Ramadan. He urged national unity in the face of the ongoing terrorist threat.
According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), the country saw a 40 percent increase in militant attacks in 2024, compared to the previous year. In February 2025 alone, 79 attacks were recorded, resulting in the deaths of 55 civilians and 47 security personnel.
(Edited by Sudha V)