At least 12 people, including four children, lost their lives and 30 others sustained injuries in a deadly suicide attack on Bannu Cantonment in northwest Pakistan late on Tuesday.
The assault, carried out using two explosive-laden vehicles, resulted in a significant breach of the cantonment’s boundary wall, triggering a fierce security response that led to the neutralisation of at least six terrorists.
Police officials stated that the attack occurred around sunset when the suicide bombers drove their vehicles into the perimeter wall of the high-security cantonment, situated approximately 200 km southwest of Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The explosion caused extensive damage to the area, including civilian structures.
A little-known militant outfit, Jaish Al Fursan, affiliated with Hafiz Gul Bahadur and operating as a faction of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Civilian casualties and emergency response
Dr Numan, spokesperson for the District Headquarters Hospital in Bannu, confirmed that 12 civilians had perished in the explosion, including four children and two women.
He further reported that at least 30 individuals were receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the blast.
Sources from the hospital disclosed that a number of casualties occurred in civilian buildings situated near the blast site, while a mosque adjacent to the cantonment’s boundary wall was severely damaged.
Following the explosions, several terrorists attempted to infiltrate the cantonment through the breach in the wall.
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Security forces responded swiftly, neutralising six of the attackers while cordoning off the area to prevent further incursions.
Additional security measures were implemented as the military authorities sealed key routes leading to the cantonment.
A clearance operation is underway to eliminate any remaining militants, security sources confirmed.
The army has restricted access to the site, preventing unauthorised personnel from entering the affected zone.
Government response and condemnation
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur strongly condemned the attack, directing authorities to submit a detailed report.
Expressing grief over the loss of innocent lives, he conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved families.
“Such incidents during the holy month of Ramadan are extremely condemnable and tragic,” Gandapur stated.
The attack is the latest in a surge of militant violence that has plagued Pakistan in recent months.
Data from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), a leading think tank, reported a sharp 42 per cent increase in terror incidents in January 2025 compared to the previous month.
According to PICSS, Pakistan recorded 74 militant attacks nationwide in January, resulting in 91 fatalities, including 35 security personnel, 20 civilians, and 36 militants.
Additionally, 117 people were injured, including 53 security personnel, 54 civilians, and 10 militants.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains the most affected province, followed by Balochistan.
The settled districts of KP experienced 27 militant attacks, causing 19 fatalities, while the tribal districts recorded 19 attacks, leading to 46 deaths.
As Pakistan grapples with escalating violence, security forces remain on high alert to counter the growing militant threat in the region.
Also read: Pak security forces kill 6 terrorists in restive northwest
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