PESHAWAR: Militants slammed an explosives-packed truck into a security compound in Bajaur district before unleashing gunfire, killing at least nine paramilitary officers in a bold assault that has heightened security concerns along Pakistan’s northwestern border.
The attack unfolded on Thursday in the restive tribal district, officials confirmed on Friday. A senior security official in Peshawar said the assailants drove the vehicle straight into the compound’s gate, triggering a powerful blast followed by intense shooting.
“In the attack, nine paramilitary officers and 10 militants were killed,” the official stated. Another senior government official in Bajaur verified the casualty figures.
News agency AFP reported the incident amid a recent spike in violence in the area bordering Afghanistan. Over the past week alone, car bomb and mortar attacks have claimed 21 lives in the region.
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the latest strike, according to multiple reports. The group has stepped up operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in recent months.
Security forces responded swiftly, engaging the attackers in a fierce gunbattle that neutralized the 10 militants. No immediate details emerged on the exact size of the attacking group or any civilian casualties.
Bajaur, once a major stronghold for militants, lies in the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas. Its proximity to the Afghan border makes it a frequent flashpoint for cross-border militancy.
Pakistani authorities have long accused Afghan soil of harboring TTP fighters. Kabul denies the charges, but Islamabad continues to press for action against sanctuaries.
This latest assault comes as Pakistan grapples with a broader resurgence of terrorism since the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan in 2021. Official data shows hundreds of security personnel and civilians killed in attacks across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan in the past few years.
In Bajaur specifically, security operations have targeted militant hideouts, but challenges persist due to rugged terrain and local sympathies in some pockets.
Thursday’s attack highlights vulnerabilities in forward security compounds. The use of a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) combined with small-arms assault mirrors tactics seen in previous high-profile incidents.
One such earlier strike in Bajaur this year involved a similar vehicle ramming that killed multiple soldiers and a civilian child, prompting renewed counterterrorism drives.
Prime Minister’s office and military spokespersons have condemned the attack. They vowed to pursue those behind it and dismantle remaining networks.
“Such cowardly acts will not deter the resolve of our forces,” a statement from security quarters noted. Operations against facilitators remain underway.
Local residents in Bajaur expressed shock over the incident. Many fear renewed displacement if large-scale clearances begin.
The district has seen significant development efforts in recent years, including road projects and education initiatives, yet militancy continues to disrupt normal life.
Health officials confirmed the injured were shifted to nearby facilities in Timergara and Peshawar for treatment. Exact number of wounded remains unclear pending official updates.
Intelligence agencies are investigating possible links between this attack and the earlier incidents that killed 21 people. Preliminary reports suggest coordinated efforts by TTP factions operating from border areas.
Pakistan’s security establishment has intensified intelligence-based operations (IBOs) across the northwest. In recent months, dozens of militants were killed in such actions.
Yet the frequency of attacks underscores the adaptive nature of these groups. They exploit porous borders and occasional lapses in perimeter security.
Analysts note that TTP has reorganized, focusing on high-impact strikes against symbols of state authority. Their propaganda often amplifies such operations to recruit and project strength.
For Pakistan, the economic and human cost remains steep. Billions have been spent on counterterrorism infrastructure, while thousands of families mourn lost breadwinners from the forces.
The incident also strains diplomatic ties with Afghanistan. Islamabad has repeatedly called for decisive action against TTP bases there.
As investigations progress, authorities have heightened alerts across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Additional forces are being deployed to sensitive installations.
Bajaur’s history of militancy dates back to operations against Al-Qaeda and Taliban elements post-9/11. While large-scale presence was reduced, sleeper cells and cross-border movement sustain threats.
Thursday’s events serve as a reminder of ongoing challenges. Security forces continue clearance sweeps in surrounding areas to prevent further infiltration.
Families of the fallen officer