In a tragic incident, a suicide bomber riding a motorcycle targeted a military convoy in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, resulting in the deaths of nine soldiers. The attack occurred near the town of Jani Khel, located 61 kilometers (38 miles) from the border.
Pakistan has been grappling with a surge in militant activities since the Taliban’s return to power in neighboring Afghanistan two years ago. This has led to an alarming increase in attacks along the border regions.
According to the army’s media wing, the suicide bomber detonated himself in a motorcycle-borne attack. The region’s rugged terrain has long been a hotbed of militant activities, with groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) taking advantage of the largely unpoliced border to evade detection and launch attacks.
Provincial minister Feroze Jamal Shah confirmed the attack, explaining that the suicide bomber rammed his motorcycle into a military convoy truck. Pakistan’s army reported that five soldiers were injured in the attack, while Shah placed the figure at 20.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar condemned the incident as a “cowardly terrorist act.” The TTP remains the largest threat in the region, with Islamabad alleging that its fighters are finding safe havens in Afghanistan.
In recent months, the TTP has been actively targeting security officials, including police officers. In January, a TTP-affiliated suicide bomber targeted a mosque inside a police compound in Peshawar, killing over 80 officers.
The Islamic State group has also been involved in attacks in Pakistan, claiming responsibility for a suicide bombing last month that killed dozens, including children, at a political party gathering.
While Pakistan had made significant strides in restoring order through a major military clearance operation in former tribal areas starting in 2014, the security situation has deteriorated since the return of Taliban authorities in Afghanistan.
As Pakistan faces a worsening security environment, economic challenges, and political turmoil with upcoming elections, the incident underscores the ongoing security threats in border regions, demanding continued vigilance and counterterrorism efforts.
Sources By Agencies
