Two security personnel were martyred and 19 others injured when a military convoy was ambushed in the Inayat Qila Pathak area of Bajaur district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on Tuesday morning, official and local sources said. The attack came amid intensified targeted operations against the Khawarij in the volatile border region following confirmed intelligence reports of their presence.
According to sources, the convoy came under sudden and heavy fire while passing through the area. Most of the injuries sustained by the personnel were caused by shrapnel; however, eight of the wounded received bullet injuries and remain under medical treatment. The incident marks one of the deadliest single-day attacks in Bajaur in recent months and underscores the continued operational capacity of the Khawarij despite sustained counterterrorism measures.
Security sources revealed that prior to the escalation of military actions, several jirgas were held with the Khawarij in an effort to persuade them to vacate the district peacefully. These negotiations, involving local elders and tribal intermediaries, ultimately failed as the group refused to withdraw, prompting security forces to launch a series of targeted intelligence-based operations in key tehsils, including Mamond and Loi Mamond.
The current operations are being conducted in close coordination with the provincial and district administrations to ensure the safety and convenience of civilians during the crackdown. Local communities and influential elders have pledged their full support to the state, actively assisting security personnel through the sharing of information and facilitating operational movements in the area.
Officials emphasised that the Bajaur operations are part of a nationwide campaign against the Khawarij, with security forces carrying out over 200 intelligence-based operations daily across Pakistan. These actions target not only armed combatants but also their facilitators, safe houses, and logistical support networks.
“The security forces will continue the fight until the complete elimination of the last Khawarij from the country,” an official source stated, reaffirming the government’s resolve to restore lasting peace and stability to the region.
The attack in Bajaur follows a pattern of renewed militant activity in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in districts along the Pak-Afghan border. Security analysts say the ongoing operations, backed by intelligence and local cooperation, aim to dismantle the group’s ability to regroup or establish footholds in these strategically sensitive areas.
