At least three people, including two children, were killed and several others injured in twin attacks targeting security forces in Pakistan’s volatile northwest on Monday, officials said.
The first explosion occurred near a police station in Bannu district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a region bordering Afghanistan that has long faced militant violence.
Motorcycle Bomb Strikes Police Station in Bannu
According to local police official Fida Mohammad, explosives attached to a parked motorcycle detonated near the station’s main gate. Two people, including a child, were killed in the blast, while multiple others sustained injuries.
Victims were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Authorities have not yet confirmed the total number of wounded.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing. However, suspicion is likely to fall on the outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has carried out numerous attacks against security forces in the region.
Suicide Bombing Targets Checkpoint in Bajaur
Hours after the Bannu explosion, another attack unfolded in the Bajaur district, also in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Police official Zafar Khan said a suicide bomber driving an explosives-laden vehicle approached a security checkpoint, accompanied by armed fighters. The vehicle detonated near the post, triggering an exchange of gunfire between militants and troops.
Security forces killed at least eight attackers, described by authorities as “Khawarij,” a term used by the government to refer to TTP members.
The blast caused part of the checkpoint structure to collapse, injuring three officers. A young girl was also killed when the roof of a nearby home caved in due to the impact of the explosion.
Rescue teams were working to clear debris from the damaged security post amid fears that additional victims could be trapped beneath the rubble.
Rising Violence in Northwestern Pakistan
Pakistan has witnessed a resurgence of militant violence in recent years, particularly in areas near the Afghan border. The government has repeatedly accused the TTP of orchestrating attacks from safe havens inside Afghanistan — allegations denied by both the militant group and officials in Kabul.
The escalating violence has further strained relations between Islamabad and Afghanistan’s Taliban-led administration, complicating regional security efforts.
Authorities have increased patrols and security operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following Monday’s attacks as investigations continue.
