Peshawar: Six soldiers and five terrorists were killed on Tuesday after security forces foiled a major attack by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on the headquarters of the Federal Constabulary (FC) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district.
According to Pakistan’s military, the assault began when militants attempted to breach the FC headquarters by ramming an explosive-laden vehicle into the perimeter wall. The suicide blast caused part of the wall to collapse, damaged nearby civilian property, and injured three civilians.
Security forces responded swiftly, killing all five attackers in an exchange of fire. However, six personnel—comprising both Pakistan Army and FC soldiers—also lost their lives in the operation.
Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed said,“Four militants were neutralised within an hour, while the fifth was eliminated shortly after.”
The attack highlights the growing security crisis in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where districts such as Bannu, Peshawar, Karak, Lakki Marwat, and Bajaur have seen a surge in militant activity. Pakistan has faced increasing violence since the TTP unilaterally ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022, vowing to escalate attacks.
Recent figures from the Islamabad-based Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) show militant violence spiked 74% in August compared to July, making it the deadliest month in over a decade.
Bannu has been at the centre of several incidents in recent months. On August 3, a police constable was killed in a terrorist strike at a checkpoint, while July saw repeated quadcopter-led attacks on a police station in Miryan. Just weeks ago, 14 suspected facilitators of militants were arrested in Hoveed and Wazirabad, with their hideouts destroyed.
