A major terrorist attack was thwarted in Bannu on Tuesday when a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the main gate wall of the Frontier Corps (FC) Lines at 5:10am, triggering a powerful blast followed by an armed assault. The swift response of security forces left four terrorists dead, while one militant remained engaged as the operation continued.
District Police Officer (DPO) Salim Abbas Kalachi said that following the initial explosion, five armed militants forced their way into the FC Lines and attempted to occupy the offices. Security personnel immediately retaliated, killing one assailant in the FC ground and eliminating three more in subsequent clashes. Combined contingents of the police, FC, and other security agencies pressed the operation, with the confrontation against one remaining terrorist still ongoing.
The assault left several policemen wounded. Among them, SHO Cantonment Police Station Damsaz Khan sustained critical injuries. He was rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital, where doctors shifted him to the operation theatre after providing initial medical aid. Five other police officials were also injured in the exchange of fire, raising the number of wounded officers to six.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Bannu Sajjad Khan promptly visited the District Headquarters Hospital to inquire after the injured and oversee medical arrangements. Meanwhile, DPO Salim Abbas Kalachi remained on the frontlines, personally supervising the counterterrorism operation inside the FC Lines.
Addressing the media, DPO Kalachi vowed that acts of terrorism would find no space in Bannu. “We will never tolerate such attacks, and every militant involved will be eliminated,” he declared.
