Deadly Terrorist Attack in Northwest Pakistan Leaves 18 Dead, Including Five Soldiers

At least five Pakistani soldiers and 13 civilians were killed when heavily armed terrorists launched a deadly assault on a military cantonment in northwest Pakistan, the military said on Wednesday.

A group of 16 militants attacked the cantonment in the Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Tuesday evening. They attempted to breach the perimeter by ramming two explosive-laden vehicles into the wall but were intercepted by security forces. In a prolonged battle that lasted until Wednesday morning, all 16 attackers, including four suicide bombers, were eliminated. The attack also caused multiple explosions, damaging a mosque and a residential building, leading to additional civilian casualties and injuries.

Pakistan’s military attributed the attack to militants operating from Afghanistan, with intelligence confirming the involvement of Afghan nationals. Islamabad urged the Afghan interim government to prevent its territory from being used for terrorist activities and warned that Pakistan reserves the right to take necessary countermeasures. The military reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating terrorism in all its forms.