At least twelve soldiers were killed and several others wounded after a suicide car bombing targeted a military checkpoint in northwestern Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. This attack signifies one of the deadliest incidents amid increasing violence attributed to the resurgence of militant groups like the Pakistani Taliban.
The bomb was detonated on the evening of November 19, 2024, near Malikhel, situated within the volatile Bannu district. Military officials reported the bomber attempted to breach the security post but was thwarted by the troops on guard. Consequently, the assailant rammed the explosive-laden vehicle against the perimeter wall, resulting in the explosion.
The blast led to the collapse of part of the structure and inflicted extensive damage to nearby facilities. Following the explosion, the military stated, “The suicide blast led to the martyrdom of 12 brave sons of soil, including ten soldiers from the security forces and two from the Frontier Constabulary.” Chief military spokesperson, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), noted the urgent sanitization operations commenced immediately to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
Claiming responsibility for the attack was the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, identified as a breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan. Their involvement highlights the persistent threat posed by such extremist factions against the security forces. Earlier, this group had faced scrutiny when they declared resuming hostilities after the Pakistani Taliban terminated their ceasefire with the government back in November 2022.
During the chaotic aftermath, six militants labeled as “khwarij,” which is commonly used to describe members of the Taliban, were reportedly killed during confrontations with security personnel. Eyewitnesses recounted gunfire erupting almost immediately after the blast, as soldiers fought against the attackers trying to solidify their position.
This surge of violence is part of broader troubling trends for Pakistan, particularly affecting regions like Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which have seen dramatic spikes in terror activities recently. Just weeks prior to this incident, on November 9, twenty-five people, including fourteen members of the Pakistani army, were killed during another significant explosion at the Quetta railway station.
The Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) reported remarkable increases — as much as 90% — in violence rates throughout the third quarter of 2024. Political leaders, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, have responded by pushing for military operations targeting known insurgent bases, particularly against separatist organizations causing instability.
Recognizing the deteriorated security situation, Prime Minister Sharif established initiatives aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructures. He emphasized the need for comprehensive policies catering to both immediate military responses and long-term strategies for stability. With the resurgence of the Taliban's influence and other hobbyist militant factions steadily growing, the Pakistan armed forces are under pressure to bolster counter-terrorism efforts considerably.
This attack not only highlights the immediate dangers posed by militant groups but also emphasizes the larger societal issues Pakistan faces as its military grapples with maintaining order amid increasing recruitment and operational capacities of these insurgent factions. Continued violence and political unrest may precipitate heavier military interventions to reclaim lost ground against these hostile entities.”
The grim realities revealed by the bombing foreshadow potential escalations of conflict as military operations increase, leading to concerns over civilian safety and stability. Nonetheless, Pakistan's leadership appears resolute, pledging determined action against terrorism, asserting, “We will not be deterred by these heinous acts.”
