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Lt Colonel, Sepoy Martyred in Bannu Suicide Attack; Five TTP Militants Killed
A lieutenant colonel and a sepoy were martyred in a suicide attack during an IBO in Bannu, KP, the ISPR said. Five TTP militants were killed as security forces foiled a major attack. Leaders vowed to continue operations under
ND
by News Desk
2026-02-21
Lt Colonel, Sepoy Martyred in Bannu Suicide Attack; Five TTP Militants Killed

A lieutenant colonel and a sepoy were martyred in a suicide attack during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday, the military’s media wing said.

In a statement, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said a security forces convoy was targeted by “Indian proxy Fitna al Khwarij” during an operation conducted on the reported presence of terrorists, including a suicide bomber. The term “Fitna al Khwarij” is used by the state for militants belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

According to the ISPR, troops intercepted a vehicle-borne suicide bomber from the leading group, successfully foiling an attempt to target civilians and law enforcement personnel in Bannu city, thereby averting what it described as a major catastrophe.

Security forces subsequently located the militants, and in an intense exchange of fire, five terrorists were killed. However, in what the military described as a desperate act, the attackers rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into one of the vehicles of the leading group.

As a result, 43-year-old Lt Colonel Shahzada Gul Faraz, a resident of Mansehra, and 28-year-old Sepoy Karamat Shah from Peshawar embraced martyrdom. The ISPR described Lt Colonel Faraz as a brave commanding officer known for leading his troops from the front.

The military’s statement further alleged that the attackers were operating from Afghan soil, reiterating Islamabad’s longstanding concerns about cross-border militant sanctuaries. It stated that the “Afghan Taliban regime has yet again failed to stop the khwarij from use of Afghan soil for terrorist activities inside Pakistan,” even during the holy month of Ramazan.

“Pakistan will not exercise any restraint and operations will continue against the perpetrators of this heinous and cowardly act for justified retribution, irrespective of their location,” the ISPR asserted.

The statement added that the counter-terrorism campaign under the vision ‘Azm-i-Istehkam’, approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan, would continue at full pace to eliminate foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif separately condemned the attack and expressed grief over the loss of lives.

President Zardari termed the sacrifice of the martyrs a national asset and reaffirmed the state’s resolve to continue operations against Fitna al Khwarij without compromise. He also stated that those violating the sanctity of Ramazan had no link with Islam.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the security forces for eliminating five militants and preventing major destruction. He reaffirmed that under the Azm-i-Istehkam vision, the state remained determined to eradicate terrorism in all its forms.

Pakistan has witnessed a renewed surge in terrorist attacks, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, following the TTP’s decision to end its ceasefire with the government in 2022. Bannu has seen repeated incidents in recent months, prompting intensified intelligence-based operations.

Islamabad has repeatedly raised concerns with Kabul over the alleged presence of TTP militants on Afghan soil and has issued demarches in recent weeks following deadly attacks in Bajaur and North Waziristan.

Security officials say operations will continue as part of a broader strategy to counter the resurgence of militancy and ensure stability in the region.
Tagged:

TTP

ISPR

Bannu

KhyberPakhtunkhwa
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