BANNU: Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen has claimed responsibility of a suicide attack on a checkpoint that killed 15 Police Constables here on Saturday (9th May, 2026) night.
According to details the suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the batiment, transforming it into chips. Following the blast, militants of Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen (who were equipped with quadcopters) opened fire at the chowki from all directions.
At the time of attack the chowki harboured eighteen constables. The rescue personnel dragged three wounded cops from under the rubble and transported them to a nearby medical facility.
Saudi FM stated: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s condemnation and denunciation of the treacherous terrorist attack on a security checkpoint in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which resulted in the death of a number of Pakistani policemen and the injury of others.”
Commenting on the incident, US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker said: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic events in Bannu. Our hearts are with the Government and people of Pakistan, KP police, and the family and friends of the victims. Pakistan’s citizens deserve security, peace, and a future unburdened by the scourge of terrorist violence. The United States remains steadfast in its commitment to cooperate with Pakistani partners in confronting terrorism wherever it emerges.”
Envoy of the Islamic Republic of Iran Reza Amiri Moghadam took to the X to condemn the attack: “On behalf of the Government and the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran, i strongly condemn the hideous and awkward terrorist attack on the Fateh Khel police post in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district leading to the martyrdom of 15 police personnel and the injury of some others.
“I extend my sincere and deepest condolences and sympathy to the Government, Police and the honorable people of Pakistan, particularly to the bereaved families. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones. we pray for the safe and speedy recovery of the injured. May Allah Almighty grant his blessings to the martyrs and bless them with eternal peace in Jannat-ul-Firdous.”
Diplomatic post of Türkiye in Islamabad, while condemning the Bannu attack, stated: “We condemn in the strongest terms the vile terrorist attack that took place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district, Pakistan. We wish Allah’s mercy upon those who lost their lives and extend our deepest condolences to their families and to the brotherly people of Pakistan. Türkiye continues to stand in full solidarity with brotherly Pakistan in its fight against terrorism.”
British High Commission in Islamabad stated: “The UK strongly condemns the terrorist attack on security personnel in Bannu. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the victims and those that have been injured. The UK stands in solidarity with Pakistan in the fight against terrorism.”
Pakistan, that believes that militants have safe heaven in Afghanistan and conduct across the border attacks, summoned the Afghan Chargé d’Affaires on 11th May and issued a strong demarche conveying that a detailed investigation into the incident, along with evidence and technical intelligence, indicated that the attack was masterminded by terrorists residing in Afghanistan: “Reiterating Pakistan’s grave concern over the continued use of Afghan soil for terrorist attacks against Pakistan, it was impressed upon the Afghan side that Pakistan reserves the right to respond decisively against the perpetrators of this barbaric act!,”
For years now, militants have been attacking the personnel of LEAs as well as the civilians, particularly in the KP and Balochistan provinces of Pakistan. For instance, militants attacked an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) on routine patrol within the jurisdiction of Mardan Police Station on 1st of May, 2026. As the result of sniper-cum-rocket attack the APC was badly damaged. Its civilian driver and a Police constable got gravely injured. The later succumbed to his injuries at hospital.
LEAs too retaliate constantly to contain the menace of terrorism. For instance, on 26th Feb, five TTP militants were neutralised after an intensive exchange of fire during an IBO carried out by security forces here on 21st Feb, 2026. According to ISPR: “A vehicle-borne suicide bomber was intercepted by the leading group, foiling his nefarious design to target innocent civilians/law enforcement personnel in Bannu City, averting major catastrophe.”
The suicide bomber desperately rammed the explosive-laden vehicle into one of the vehicles of the leading group. As a result 43-year-old Lt Col Shahzada Gul Faraz (r/o Mansehra), and 28-year-old Sepoy Karamat Shah (r/o Peshawar) paid ultimate price for Pakistan. ISPR maintained that TTP militants, who violated the sanctity of Ramazan, had no link with Islam. Military’s Media Wing reiterating that the attackers were operating from Afghanistan’s sanctuary, pointed out that Afghan Taliban Regime has yet again failed to contain their anti-state activities.
ISPR took to the X to state: “On 21 February, in a cowardly attack, Security Forces convoy was targeted by Indian proxy Fitna al Khwarij in Bannu District while an intelligence based operation was being conducted on reported presence of Khwarij including a suicide bomber. “A vehicle borne suicide bomber was intercepted by the leading group, foiling his nefarious design to target innocent civilians/ Law enforcement personnel in Bannu City, averting major catastrophe. During the conduct of operation, khwarij were located and after intense fire exchange, five khwarij were sent to hell by the security forces. However, in desperation, Khwarij rammed the explosive laden vehicle into one of the vehicles of the leading group.
“Resultantly, Lt Colonel Shahzada Gul Faraz (age: 43 years, resident of District Manshera), a brave commanding officer renowned for his daring actions, who was leading his troops from the front embraced shahadat alongwith Sepoy Karamat Shah (age: 28 years, resident of District Peshawar). Khwarij are continuing with their terrorist activities inside Pakistan using Afghan soil, violating the sanctity of the holy month of Ramadan. This clearly indicates that they have no link with Islam.
“The Afghan Taliban Regime has yet again failed to stop the Khwarij from use of Afghan soil for terrorist activities inside Pakistan, that too in the holy month of Ramadan. Pakistan will not exercise any restrain and operations would continue against the perpetrators of this henious and cowardly act for justified retribution against Khwarij irrespective of their location.
“Counter Terrorism campaign under vision “Azm-e-Istehkam” (as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further reinforce our unwavering commitment of safeguarding our nation at all costs.”
Newspakistan.tv
Sania Jamali is based in Dubai and writes on National Politics of the region.
