Pakistan's security forces foiled a major suicide attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Bannu district on Saturday, but not without cost: two army personnel, including a lieutenant colonel, were martyred, while five militants affiliated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were killed.
According to the military's media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the incident unfolded during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) targeting the reported presence of TTP militants, referred to as "Indian proxy Fitna al Khwarij," including a vehicle-borne suicide bomber.
Security forces intercepted the suicide bomber's vehicle as it approached, preventing it from detonating in Bannu City and targeting civilians or law enforcement personnel, thus averting what the ISPR described as a "major catastrophe."
During the operation, troops located the militants and engaged them in an intense firefight. Five militants were killed in the exchange.
Also read: Intel warns of possible IED blast in Delhi; security beefed up
In a desperate move, the attackers rammed the explosive-laden vehicle into one of the lead convoy vehicles. The blast resulted in the martyrdom of 43-year-old Lt Colonel Shahzada Gul Faraz from Mansehra, described by ISPR as a "brave commanding officer renowned for his daring actions, who was leading his troops from the front", and 28-year-old Sepoy Karamat Shah from Peshawar.
The ISPR emphasised that the swift interception and response by security personnel limited civilian casualties and prevented a larger-scale attack in the urban area.
The incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in districts bordering Afghanistan, where TTP militants have intensified operations despite military crackdowns. Bannu has seen repeated militant attacks in recent months, including vehicle-borne explosives and ambushes on security installations.
No immediate claim of responsibility was issued by the TTP, though the group's involvement was confirmed by authorities through the operation's intelligence. Pakistan's military continues to conduct such IBOs to neutralise terrorist threats, with officials vowing sustained efforts against groups operating from across the border.
Follow us
