A Frontier Corps (FC) check-post near the airport in Bakkakhel, Bannu, came under a heavy assault by the Khawarij, in an attack marked by the indiscriminate use of heavy weapons that also claimed the life of an innocent child, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
Security sources said the Khawarij opened intense fire on the FC post, deploying heavy-calibre weapons in a sustained barrage. The onslaught, however, extended beyond the check-post, hitting nearby civilian areas, including a local seminary. In the tragic exchange, a young child embraced martyrdom, underscoring once again the Khawarij’s ruthless disregard for civilian life.
FC personnel responded swiftly and effectively, returning fire and forcing the attackers to retreat under pressure. Despite the scale of the assault, the check-post held firm, preventing greater damage and casualties.
The indiscriminate use of firepower caused widespread panic among residents of the surrounding neighbourhood, many of whom were caught in the crossfire. Eyewitnesses described the scene as one of “sheer terror,” with families seeking shelter as tracer rounds and explosions echoed through the night.
Security forces later encircled the area and launched a comprehensive search operation to track down the fleeing assailants. Officials said the offensive would continue until the perpetrators are neutralised and the safety of the civilian population is fully ensured.
Authorities condemned the attack in the strongest terms, stressing that the martyrdom of innocent civilians, particularly children, revealed the cowardly and barbaric nature of the Khawarij. They reiterated that such acts of senseless violence would not weaken the resolve of the state or its security forces, but instead reinforce their determination to eradicate the menace from the region.
