BANNU: Terrorists destroyed the Lodha Fateh Khel bridge with explosive material late on Monday night, severing road links to multiple areas in Bannu district.
Police officials confirmed the blast completely demolished the structure on Miranshah Road near the Fateh Khel area. The bridge served as a critical link for residents of Nurad, Ghora Bakakhel, Jani Khel, Bettani, and surrounding villages.
Local authorities said the destruction has cut off ground access to Bannu city for tens of thousands of residents. Commuters now face severe difficulties in movement, supply of essentials, and emergency services.
This incident comes just two days after a major suicide attack on the nearby Fateh Khel police checkpost. On Saturday night, terrorists rammed a vehicle loaded with an estimated 1,200 to 1,500 kilogrammes of explosives into the post, killing 15 police personnel and injuring three others.
Bannu Regional Police Officer Sajjad Khan had earlier detailed that 18 personnel were present at the checkpost during the assault. Rescue teams recovered bodies from the rubble while nearby buildings and an armoured vehicle also sustained heavy damage.
No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the bridge blast. Security forces have launched a search operation in the area and sealed the site for forensic examination.
The Lodha Fateh Khel bridge was a key transportation artery connecting Bannu with forward areas towards North Waziristan. Its destruction has created a large crater, blocking the main route and forcing residents to use longer, alternative paths that are often unsuitable for heavy vehicles.
Officials estimate the affected population ranges between 400,000 and 500,000 across the linked villages. Daily wage earners, students, and patients requiring hospital access in Bannu are among the worst hit. Local transporters reported immediate suspension of regular bus and rickshaw services.
This latest attack fits a pattern of militants targeting infrastructure in the Bannu-Waziristan corridor to disrupt security operations and civilian movement. Similar incidents in the past have aimed at isolating communities and complicating counter-terrorism efforts by security forces.
Provincial authorities have directed concerned departments to assess repair requirements. Restoration work is expected to take several weeks due to the extent of damage and prevailing security conditions in the region.
Residents have expressed concern over repeated targeting of public infrastructure. Many described the bridge blast as an attempt to compound difficulties following the checkpost attack, further straining local resources and daily life.
Security analysts note that such actions seek to create administrative and logistical challenges for law enforcement in a strategically important district bordering former tribal areas. They also hinder routine patrolling and rapid response capabilities along key routes.
Senior police and district administration officials visited the site on Tuesday. They assured affected communities of alternative arrangements for essential supplies while repair plans are finalized.
The incidents have drawn attention to the need for enhanced protection of critical infrastructure in volatile districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Officials indicated that intelligence-based operations against terrorist networks remain ongoing in the region.
Future developments will depend on the pace of bridge reconstruction and the success of security operations to prevent further sabotage. Local administration is coordinating with provincial authorities to mitigate immediate hardships for isolated communities.