Two suicide bombings in Bannu Cantonment, Pakistan, resulted in nine deaths, including five children, with over 25 individuals injured. The attacks occurred during iftar, leading to significant damage and a follow-up gunfire exchange with militants. The group Jaish-e-Forasan Mohammad claimed responsibility, highlighting ongoing security concerns in the region and escalating tensions with Afghanistan.
On Tuesday night, two suicide bombings in Pakistan’s Bannu Cantonment resulted in the tragic deaths of at least nine individuals, including five children. More than 25 others were injured during the attacks, which coincided with iftar, the evening meal for breaking the fast during the holy month of Ramadan. Local officials noted that following the bombings, intense gunfire erupted between security forces and the attackers.
Bannu, a crucial city near the Afghan border, is a significant center for Pakistan’s military operations within the Waziristan region. The explosions caused extensive damage, with several homes losing roofs and walls, and a nearby mosque sustaining damage that trapped worshippers beneath the rubble. Bannu police official Noor Marwat recounted the events of the night, explaining, “The first attack involved a bomber ramming an explosives-laden vehicle into the cantonment gate, while a second vehicle was detonated near the perimeter wall.”
A representative from Bannu Central Government Hospital, Noman Khattab, confirmed that many victims were admitted with injuries resulting from the collapsed structures. The attack has been claimed by the group Jaish-e-Forasan Mohammad, which is associated with the banned Hafiz Gul Bahadur faction known for prior assaults on security installations.
Bannu has witnessed numerous significant terrorist incidents in recent years. In July 2024, a similar assault resulted in the deaths of eight military personnel and ten attackers. Additionally, in 2022, militants overpowered security forces within a Counter-Terrorism Department compound, seizing weapons and taking hostages before they were eventually neutralized.
Pakistani authorities assert that these militant groups operate from safe havens in Afghanistan. Islamabad has continuously accused the Afghan Taliban of inadequately addressing cross-border attacks, particularly in the regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, which have seen an uptick in guerrilla and terrorist actions since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021. The Afghan government has repudiated these allegations, maintaining that no armed group is permitted to utilize its territory for attacks on another country.
The recent bombings are likely to heighten tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as Islamabad presses for more robust counterterrorism measures from Kabul. Despite ongoing diplomatic endeavors, security officials indicate that threats from across the border continue to be an escalating concern for Pakistan.
The devastating suicide bombings in Bannu underscore ongoing security challenges in Pakistan, particularly linked to militant groups operating across the Afghan border. The attacks have not only resulted in tragic loss of life but also risk exacerbating diplomatic strains between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Authorities continue to wrestle with the complex landscape of terrorism as they advocate for greater cooperation in combating these threats.
Original Source: themedialine.org
