Lieutenant colonel among two martyred in Bannu terror attack; five terrorists killed

Two army officials including a lieutenant colonel were martyred and five terrorists killed in Bannu attack on Saturday.

The military’s media wing said a security forces convoy was targeted by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) 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.

According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), a vehicle borne suicide bomber was intercepted by the leading group, foiling his nefarious design to target innocent civilians and 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,” it said.

Resultantly, the ISPR said, Lt Colonel Shahzada Gul Faraz, 43, resident of Manshera, embraced martyrdom along with Sepoy Karamat Shah, 28, resident of Peshawar. It said Lt Col Faraz was a brave commanding officer renowned for his daring actions, who was leading his troops from the front.

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The ISPR said terrorists were continuing with their terrorist activities inside Pakistan using Afghan soil, violating the sanctity of Ramadan. “This clearly indicates that they have no link with Islam,” it said.

“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,” the military’s media wing said.

The 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, it said.

President, PM denounce terrorist attack

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the terrorist attack on the security forces’ convoy in Bannu.

Expressing profound sorrow over the martyrdom of Lieutenant Colonel Shahzada and Sepoy Karamat, the president stated that the supreme sacrifice of the martyrs is a national asset. He offered condolences to the families, praying for the high ranks of the martyrs and for the families to bear the loss with fortitude.

President Zardari vowed that operations against Fitna-al-Khawarij will continue indiscriminately and with full force, asserting that there will be no compromise on the nation’s security. He concluded that terrorists who violate the sanctity of the month of Ramadan have no connection with Islam.

Separately, PM Shehbaz expressed deep grief over the martyrdom of Lieutenant Colonel Shahzada and Sepoy Karamat during the assault. He prayed for the elevation of the martyrs’ ranks and offered his heartfelt condolences to their bereaved families.

The premier lauded the security forces for successfully neutralising five Fitna-al-Khawarij terrorists, thereby thwarting their nefarious designs. He remarked that the attempt to spread terror during the blessed month of Ramadan is proof that terrorists have no religion.

“The security forces’ timely action saved the city from a major catastrophe. Under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam,” the prime minister noted. He added that security forces are achieving significant successes against terrorism.

The prime minister reaffirmed that the entire nation stands with the Pakistan Armed Forces in this war and remains committed to the complete eradication of terrorism from the country.

Pakistan saw a significant surge in terrorist attacks in 2025, with the number of attacks rising by 34 percent compared to the previous year.

According to the Pakistan Security Report 2025 released by the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), the country witnessed 699 terrorist attacks, resulting in at least 1,034 deaths and 1,366 injuries.

READ MORE: Afghan border closure brings down terrorist violence by almost 17%: report

It said that terrorism-related fatalities increased by 21 percent, highlighting a continuing upward trend in militancy since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.

Of the 699 terrorist attacks, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa witnessed 413 attacks, Gilgit-Baltistan witnessed 254 attacks, Sindh province recorded 21 attacks, Punjab witnessed 11, and three attacks were carried out in Gilgit-Baltistan in the previous year, according to the report.

Meanwhile, a significant drop in cross-border terrorist attacks and violence-linked fatalities has been recorded in Pakistan since it closed down the border with Afghanistan, a Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) annual security report revealed.

“Terrorist attacks went down by almost 17% in December, preceded by 9% decline in November. Terrorist violence-linked fatalities among civilians and security officials also fell in the last quarter of 2025, by nearly 4% and 19% each in November and December, respectively, as per the data collected by the CRSS.

The Pak-Afghan border was shut down for all kinds of trade and other activities on October 11, following the cross-border attacks by terrorists and Afghan forces which resulted in heavy casualties on both sides. The border closure also brought trade activities and pedestrian movement to a standstill. Islamabad says closures curb militant movement; Kabul denies providing safe haven to the militants.