RAWALPINDI, Pakistan – A devastating suicide bombing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district claimed the lives of a Pakistani Army Lieutenant Colonel and a soldier on Saturday, amid ongoing counter-terrorism operations. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, confirmed the attack, attributing it to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)-linked group Fitna al-Khawarij.
According to ISPR, Lieutenant Colonel Shahzada Gul Faraz, aged 43, and Sepoy Karamat Shah, 28, from Peshawar, were killed when a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a security forces convoy. The incident occurred during an intelligence-based operation targeting suspected militants. Security forces responded decisively, eliminating five attackers in the ensuing firefight.
The operation was part of Pakistan’s broader ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ counter-terrorism campaign, approved under the National Action Plan. ISPR highlighted that the attackers, described as terrorists exploiting Afghan soil, showed utter disregard for the sanctity of Ramadan.
President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the ‘cowardly’ assault in a statement from his office, expressing deep condolences to the bereaved families. ‘Our resolve remains unwavering to continue operations against Fitna al-Khawarij with full force,’ he affirmed, stressing that such terrorists have no connection to Islam.
This attack underscores the persistent security challenges in Pakistan’s northwestern regions, where militant groups continue to pose a grave threat despite sustained military efforts. As the nation observes Ramadan, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the sacrifices made by its security personnel in the fight against extremism.