Suicide attack on checkpoint in Bannu, multiple casualties reported

At least 15 police personnel were martyred after terrorists carried out a deadly suicide attack on the Fateh Khel police post in Bannu late Saturday night, officials said, in one of the deadliest attacks targeting security forces in recent months.

According to police sources, the attackers rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the police post, triggering a massive blast that caused severe destruction at the site. Rescue teams rushed to the area shortly after the explosion and continued search operations through the night. Authorities confirmed that three personnel were pulled alive from the debris and shifted for medical treatment.

DIG Bannu Region Sajjad Khan visited the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital to inquire about the condition of the injured officers and meet affected families. Speaking to the media, he said the morale of Bannu Police remained strong despite the tragic attack.

“Terrorists will never succeed in their evil intentions,” the DIG said, adding that law enforcement agencies would continue operations until those responsible were brought to justice. He vowed that the attack would prove to be the “last cowardly act” of the militants and pledged the complete elimination of terrorists from the region.

The attack drew strong condemnation from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi, who expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and directed authorities to provide the best possible medical treatment to the injured.

“The war against terrorism is not just Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s war, but the war of the entire country,” the chief minister said in a statement. He praised the sacrifices made by KP Police in the fight against militancy and said the government would not allow the sacrifices of the martyrs to go in vain.

Security forces have cordoned off the area as investigations into the attack continue, while search operations are still underway to trace those involved.