Pakistan: Deadly suicide attack in Malikhel,12 soldiers lose lives in tragic blast

World News: At least 12 Pakistan Army personnel were killed in a suicide bombing late Tuesday night in the Malikhel area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Bannu district. The attacker rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a joint checkpost shared by security forces and the Frontier Constabulary. The Pakistan Army’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated, “The terrorists attempted to attack a joint check post... but their attempt to enter the post was effectively thwarted by troops.”

The explosion caused significant structural damage, collapsing a portion of the perimeter wall and killing 10 security forces personnel and two Frontier Constabulary soldiers. Six attackers were reportedly killed in a subsequent gunbattle.

Claim of Responsibility

The Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, a splinter faction of the Pakistani Taliban, claimed responsibility for the attack. The injured have been shifted to a local hospital for treatment, and authorities are conducting a sanitization operation to neutralize any remaining threats in the area. “The perpetrators of this heinous act will be brought to justice,” the ISPR emphasized.

The attack is part of a troubling surge in violence in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces. Earlier this month, a devastating blast at a railway station in Quetta claimed 25 lives, including 14 soldiers. According to the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), violence in Pakistan surged by 90% during the third quarter of 2024.

Government Announces Military Offensive

In response to the escalating violence, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a new military offensive targeting separatist groups in Balochistan. The province, bordering Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, hosts key projects under China’s Belt and Road Initiative, making it a focal point for terrorist activities. Pakistan’s government remains resolute in combating terrorism, with intensified operations expected in the coming weeks.