At least nine people were killed and 16 injured in a suicide attack targeting the main Bannu Cantonment in northwest Pakistan on Tuesday evening. The attack occurred when two explosive-laden vehicles rammed into the boundary wall of the military facility, police confirmed.
Terror group claims responsibility
A little-known faction affiliated with Hafiz Gul Bahadur, Jaish Al Fursan, claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement. The group is believed to be one of several factions associated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Casualties and injuries
According to hospital sources, five civilians were among the fatalities, while four more bodies were recovered from the debris of a mosque adjacent to the cantonment’s boundary wall. The mosque sustained heavy damage due to the explosions.
The 16 injured were rushed to nearby hospitals for medical treatment, sources added.
Attackers attempted to enter cantonment
Following the initial explosions, the cantonment wall was breached, and at least five to six attackers attempted to infiltrate the facility. However, security forces swiftly responded and neutralized all six terrorists, preventing further casualties, police officials confirmed.
Security measures tightened
In the aftermath of the attack, army authorities sealed off all major routes leading to the cantonment, restricting access to the blast site. Security has been heightened across the region to prevent further incidents.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM condemns attack
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur condemned the Bannu suicide attack and called for a detailed report on the incident.
Expressing his condolences to the victims' families, he stated, "Such incidents during the holy month of Ramadan are extremely condemnable and tragic."
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