A suicide car bombing in Pakistan’s Bajaur district killed 11 security personnel and a child, injuring civilians. The attack highlights a surge in militant violence across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa amid growing security challenges near the Afghanistan border.
A devastating suicide car bombing struck a joint security check post in Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Tuesday, killing at least 11 Pakistani security personnel and underscoring the deteriorating security situation along the country’s north-western frontier. The attack occurred near the Afghanistan border and targeted a facility jointly manned by security forces, according to official confirmations.
The media wing of the Pakistani military, Inter-Services Public Relations, said the explosion took place on February 16 when a vehicle packed with explosives rammed into a Frontier Corps check post. The post was located in Bajaur district, a region that has long faced militant violence due to its proximity to the porous border with Afghanistan.
According to the ISPR statement, the explosive-laden vehicle detonated with immense force, completely destroying the structure that housed the checkpoint. The post was reportedly operating out of a former religious school building. Afghan news outlet Khaama Press reported that bodies of the slain personnel were later recovered from under the rubble, highlighting the scale of destruction caused by the blast.
The attack also resulted in civilian casualties. A child living in a nearby house was killed, while at least three civilians sustained serious injuries after surrounding homes were damaged by the explosion. Videos circulating on social media showed local residents and civilians attempting rescue operations in near-total darkness, pulling survivors from debris amid fears that the death toll could rise further.
Security analysts say the Bajaur bombing reflects a broader resurgence of militant violence across Pakistan. In recent months, the country has seen an uptick in suicide attacks, including a deadly bombing at a mosque in Islamabad that killed dozens of worshippers. Authorities have warned that militant groups are increasingly targeting both security installations and soft civilian locations to spread fear and instability.
Just a day before the Bajaur attack, another explosion rocked Bannu district, also in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. That incident, which occurred near the Miryan Police Station, left at least two people dead and 14 others injured, further emphasizing the fragile security environment in the province.
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Pakistan’s security forces have launched investigations into the Bajaur bombing, while senior officials reiterated their commitment to counterterrorism operations. However, residents in border districts continue to express concern over recurring violence, civilian casualties, and the growing humanitarian impact of militant attacks.
