Five terrorists killed; Lt Col, soldier embrace martyrdom in Bannu

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistan Army convoy came under a suicide attack during an intelligence-based operation in Bannu on Friday, resulting in the martyrdom of a commanding officer and a soldier, while security forces eliminated five terrorists and thwarted a larger attack, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

According to ISPR, the convoy was targeted by Indian-proxy Fitna al Khwarij militants during an operation launched on reports of the presence of terrorists, including a vehicle-borne suicide bomber. The attacker was intercepted by the leading security element before he could reach Bannu city, preventing what officials described as a major assault on civilians and law-enforcement personnel.

During the operation, the militants were located and engaged. Following an intense exchange of fire, five Khwarij were killed. However, in a final act of desperation, the terrorists rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into one of the military vehicles of the leading group.

As a result, Lieutenant Colonel Shahzada Gul Faraz, 43, a resident of Mansehra district and the commanding officer leading his troops from the front, embraced martyrdom along with Sepoy Karamat Shah, 28, a resident of Peshawar district.

ISPR said the terrorists continue to conduct attacks from Afghan soil, even during the holy month of Ramadan, adding that such actions clearly demonstrate that they have no association with Islam.

In a subsequent update, security sources said the Bannu suicide attack was traced to the Afghan-based Hafiz Gul Bahadur network. The responsibility for the attack was claimed by Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen, a sub-group of Fitna al Khwarij linked to the Gul Bahadur faction.

Security officials said the group’s leadership and key commanders are sheltering in Afghanistan and have repeatedly used Afghan territory to plan and facilitate terrorist activities inside Pakistan. The same network was involved in an attack on Bannu Cantonment during Ramadan on March 4, 2025, as well as multiple attacks in Mir Ali and across North and South Waziristan.

According to security sources, investigations have shown that more than 70 percent of terrorist incidents in Pakistan involve Afghan-origin militants or networks operating from across the border.

ISPR said the Afghan Taliban regime has failed to prevent the use of its soil for terrorism against Pakistan. It added that Pakistan will continue counter-terrorism operations against the perpetrators of such attacks under the national vision “Azm-e-Istehkam”, irrespective of their location.

The statement reaffirmed that the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign by Pakistan’s security forces and law-enforcement agencies would continue at full pace to eliminate foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country, adding that the sacrifices of the nation’s soldiers further strengthen Pakistan’s resolve to safeguard its security at all costs.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026