Security – Multiple Attacks in Northwest Pakistan Leave 14 Dead
Security – At least 14 people, including 11 members of the security forces and three civilians, lost their lives in a series of violent incidents in northwest Pakistan on Monday, according to a senior security official. The attacks, which included two bomb explosions and an armed clash, also left more than two dozen people injured, highlighting the fragile security situation in regions bordering Afghanistan.
Suicide Blast Targets Religious Seminary in Bajaur
The most deadly incident occurred in Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province during the evening hours. A suicide attacker drove a vehicle packed with explosives into the boundary wall of a religious seminary, the official said while requesting anonymity.
The powerful blast killed eight personnel from the police and the Frontier Corps who were present inside the compound. Ten others sustained injuries and were shifted to nearby medical facilities for treatment. The explosion also caused significant structural damage in surrounding residential areas. Several houses suffered partial collapses, and a child was killed when debris fell on nearby homes. Authorities warned that the death toll could rise as some of the wounded remain in critical condition.
Explosion Hits Police Station in Bannu
Earlier in the day, another explosion struck the town of Bannu. A bomb concealed inside a rickshaw detonated near the Miryan police station, killing two civilians and injuring at least 17 others. Security personnel cordoned off the area immediately after the blast, while rescue teams transported the injured to hospitals.
Investigators are examining the scene to determine how the device was planted and whether the attackers had assistance. No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the Bannu attack.
Gunfight in Shangla During Search Operation
In a separate development, three police officers and three suspected militants were killed during a search operation in Shangla district. The exchange of fire took place when security forces carried out a coordinated raid based on intelligence inputs.
In a statement issued late Monday, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police said the militants killed in the operation had allegedly been involved in attacks targeting Chinese nationals working in the region. Officials described the suspects as posing an ongoing threat to key infrastructure routes.
Security Concerns Around Chinese Projects
China has invested heavily in Pakistan through infrastructure and development initiatives under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, part of Beijing’s broader Belt and Road Initiative. While the projects have brought economic opportunities, they have also drawn hostility from militant groups who view foreign investments with suspicion.
Last year, five Chinese engineers working on a major dam project were killed along with their driver when a suicide attacker rammed their vehicle along the Karakoram Highway, sending it into a ravine. The incident underscored the persistent risks faced by foreign workers in certain parts of the country.
Police officials noted that Shangla’s proximity to strategic road networks linked to CPEC projects makes it particularly sensitive. The Counter Terrorism Department and district police conducted Monday’s joint operation under a coordinated security plan aimed at neutralizing threats to both local residents and foreign personnel.
Rising Violence in Border Provinces
The recent attacks come amid a broader surge in militant activity in Pakistan’s border regions. Both Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the northwest and Balochistan in the southwest have witnessed renewed insurgent violence in recent months. Security forces have intensified counterterrorism operations, conducting targeted raids and increasing patrols in vulnerable districts.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing in all three incidents. Security has been heightened across affected areas, with additional checkpoints and patrols deployed to prevent further attacks.