BANNU, August 1, 2025 — A quadcopter drone attack, attributed by authorities to militants associated with Tehreek‑e‑Taliban Pakistan (TTP), struck the Miryan Police Station in Bannu district on Thursday morning, resulting in injuries to six security personnel, including two army soldiers, three Counter‑Terrorism Department (CTD) officers, and one police constable.
At approximately 6:45 a.m., a drone dropped explosives on the police station compound during an ongoing joint operation by local police, CTD commandos, and security forces targeting TTP militants in the Nurar area.
Injured officers were rushed to nearby hospitals, including the District Headquarters Hospital and the Combined Military Hospital in Bannu.
Windows shattered and several vehicles were damaged, though there were no fatalities reported.
This marks at least the sixth quadcopter-based assault on Miryan Police Station over recent weeks, highlighting a troubling escalation in the use of drone technology by militants in the region.
Over the past two to three months, militants have carried out at least eight drone attacks in Bannu district and adjacent areas—deploying drones armed with improvised explosive devices (IEDs) or small mortar shells.
Police officials have warned that insurgents are now better equipped than Pakistani law enforcement to deploy aerial weaponry, while local security forces remain poorly equipped to intercept drone threats.
Authorities refer to the perpetrators as “Fitna al‑Khawarij”, a term used for extremist factions linked to the TTP. While no group has publicly claimed responsibility, the militant group itself has expressed interest in acquiring drone capabilities.
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A search operation is ongoing in the area to locate the culprits and increase perimeter security around Miryan police station and surrounding communities.
The increasing frequency of drone-enabled attacks underscores a dangerous and emerging tactic used by militants in northwest Pakistan.
Security forces are under-equipped for counter-drone measures, exposing vulnerability in protecting critical installations.
Continuous assaults aim to undermine law enforcement confidence and create fear within local communities.
Pakistan’s security agencies have publicly reiterated their commitment to eliminating militant threats and restoring peace in the affected areas.