PESHAWAR, Pakistan — At least three people, including two children, were killed and several others injured in two separate attacks targeting security forces in Pakistan’s volatile northwest on Monday, officials said.
The incidents occurred in Bannu and Bajaur districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a region bordering Afghanistan that has experienced a sharp rise in militant violence in recent years.
Motorcycle Bomb Explodes in Bannu
The first attack unfolded near a police station in Bannu, where explosives attached to a parked motorcycle detonated close to the main gate, according to local police official Fida Mohammad.
At least two people, including a child, were killed in the blast, and several others sustained injuries. Victims were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Authorities have not yet released the exact number of wounded.
No group immediately claimed responsibility. However, suspicion is likely to fall on the outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has carried out numerous attacks against security personnel in the province.
Suicide Bomber Targets Bajaur Checkpoint
Hours later, a suicide bomber driving an explosives-laden vehicle struck a security checkpoint in Bajaur district, also in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Police official Zafar Khan said the attacker was accompanied by armed fighters. Troops returned fire after the explosion, killing at least eight militants. Authorities referred to the attackers as “Khawarij,” a term used by Pakistan for members of the TTP.
The force of the blast caused part of the checkpoint structure to collapse, injuring three officers. A young girl was killed when the roof of a nearby house gave way due to the impact.
Rescue workers were clearing debris from the damaged post amid concerns that more people could be trapped beneath the rubble.
Rising Militancy and Regional Tensions
Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant attacks, particularly in regions near the Afghan border. The government frequently accuses the TTP of operating from sanctuaries inside Afghanistan — allegations denied by both the militant group and authorities in Kabul.
The escalating violence has further strained ties between Islamabad and Afghanistan’s Taliban-led administration since it returned to power in 2021.
Security forces have increased patrols and launched investigations into both incidents as the region remains on high alert.
