In northwestern Pakistan, the city of Bannu observed a day of mourning on Wednesday following a devastating twin suicide bombing at a military base. The tragic incident claimed the lives of 18 individuals, including five soldiers, and was claimed by a militant group affiliated with the Pakistani Taliban. The attack also left 42 people wounded, some critically.
The bombers executed their plan by detonating explosives to penetrate the base’s perimeter wall. The attack occurred during the holy month of Ramadan when many residents were either breaking their fast or engaged in prayers at an adjacent mosque. The powerful blasts destroyed building roofs and severely damaged the mosque. Afterward, additional assailants launched an attack on the base, resulting in a fierce gunfight with military personnel.
An army statement released on Wednesday confirmed the deaths of five soldiers along with 16 militants during the confrontation. Early Wednesday morning, the air echoed with gunfire as security forces conducted thorough searches for any remaining militants. A mechanical digger routinely cleared debris, revealing prayer mats strewn across the damaged mosque.
Joint funeral prayers were conducted for the departed souls at a local sports complex. Alam Khan, a community elder, noted the closure of all educational institutions and most shops in Bannu as part of the mourning process. Rescue operations were also concluded, with workers recovering the bodies of three worshippers who were trapped beneath the mosque’s collapsed roof.
Bannu, situated in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan, has been a frequent target of militant activities. The attack was claimed by Jaish Al-Fursan, a faction linked to the Pakistani Taliban. Historically, Bannu has faced similar militant aggression, such as last November’s suicide car bombing that killed 12 troops and a similar assault in July that involved multiple explosive vehicles and armed infiltrators.
In a separate unfortunate event on Wednesday, a bomb exploded in the marketplace of Nal, located in Khuzdar district of Balochistan province. This explosion resulted in three fatalities and injuries to five others. While there has been no immediate claim of responsibility, suspicion naturally gravitates towards Baloch separatists, known for targeting individuals from other regions of Pakistan to promote their separatist agenda.
Also on Wednesday, Shahid Anwar, an intelligence official, was killed in a drive-by shooting while en route to work in Peshawar’s Uzair Town neighborhood. The assailant executed the attack from a motorcycle and subsequently evaded capture. Police officer Adnan Khan confirmed the details of the incident.
