BANNU: At least five civilians, including women and a child, were martyred and four others injured in a suicide attack on Friday in Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, ARY News reported, citing security sources.
The suicide bomber, belonging to Indian proxy Fitna Al Khwarij, intended to target the Domel Police Station but detonated explosives near a civilian house outside the police station, resulting in casualties among the local population.
Security sources said the victims included three women and one child, while the injured were shifted to a nearby hospital where they are receiving medical treatment.
Rescue teams and local residents are engaged in relief activities, removing debris from the affected building and assisting victims.
Authorities stated that due to effective security measures, the attack on the police station was thwarted; however, civilians suffered due to the attacker’s actions. Security forces have cordoned off the area and launched a search and clearance operation.
Officials added that such elements aim to destabilize the peaceful environment of Bannu, but efforts are underway to eliminate them completely. Operations under the National Action Plan will continue until all terrorist elements are eradicated.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack and expressed grief over the loss of lives. A prayer (Fateha) was also offered in the National Assembly for the victims.
Earlier, according to Inter-Services Public Relations, three militants were killed in an intelligence-based operation conducted on March 30, 2026, in Bannu district.
The military’s media wing stated that sanitization operations are ongoing to eliminate any remaining militants in the area. It added that the counterterrorism campaign under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam will continue at full pace to eradicate foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.