In yet another brazen act of sabotage against public welfare, the Khawarij targeted an under-construction government girls’ primary school in the Dagonkhel area of Bakakhel, Bannu, by planting and detonating explosive material inside the building completely destroying key infrastructure and once again striking at the heart of female education in the region.
The powerful blast ripped through the structure, demolishing a large hall-like classroom, shattering the main gate, and blowing apart four bathrooms. All other classrooms suffered severe structural cracks, and the boundary walls were visibly compromised. Construction materials and supplies for daily use were rendered entirely unusable. The timing of the attack during off hours prevented loss of life, but the damage was described by officials as “irreparable.”
“The school will have to be reconstructed from scratch. The devastation is so complete that repairs aren’t even an option,” said the project’s contractor, who revealed that the Khawarij had allegedly demanded extortion money in recent weeks a demand he had refused.
Police teams rushed to the site immediately after the explosion, cordoned off the area, and collected forensic evidence. A formal investigation is underway. Meanwhile, authorities have tightened security across Bakakhel and surrounding localities to prevent further such attacks on development projects.
The targeted bombing is part of a disturbing pattern in which the Khawarij have repeatedly attacked schools, hospitals, roads, and other state-run welfare schemes particularly those designed to uplift marginalized communities and promote girls’ education. Officials believe the group’s strategy is aimed at derailing progress, spreading fear, and disrupting any initiative that empowers society through education and public service.
“This is not an attack on a building. This is an attack on the future of our daughters,” said a senior official, calling for urgent and decisive measures to counter the Khawarij insurgency. “Each act of sabotage is meant to keep backwardness alive and undermine the very foundations of a peaceful, educated society.”
The government has vowed to rebuild the school and continue all development works without bowing to threats, emphasizing that the enemies of progress will not be allowed to dictate the fate of the region.
