The Bannu military cantonment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, approximately 330 km east of Islamabad, was the scene of a severe attack early Monday, July 15. The assault, involving several suicide bombers and a fierce gunbattle with security forces, was orchestrated by the militant group Jaish Fursan-e-Muhammad, a faction of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) led by Hafiz Gul Bahadur.

The attack began when militants attempted to breach the security perimeter of the cantonment using an explosive-laden vehicle, which was detonated at a checkpoint. This initial explosion paved the way for the attackers, armed with sophisticated weaponry and suicide vests, to advance further into the cantonment area.

Eyewitnesses reported multiple explosions and intense gunfire, creating chaos which the attackers used to engage in a gunfight with the stationed security forces. Initial reports from the scene indicate that at least 12 Pakistani soldiers were killed, with several others injured. Government hospitals spokesperson Muhammad Numan confirmed that eight individuals were wounded during the attack.

In addition to the military casualties, about eight civilians in the vicinity also lost their lives, although exact figures have yet to be confirmed. The Pakistani Army responded by deploying a gunship aircraft to provide aerial support and engage the attackers from above. Following the attack, the military imposed a lockdown in the region, restricting internet and phone services to hinder further coordination by the attackers or their escape.

The operation to secure the area and ensure the safety of military personnel and civilians is ongoing. Jaish Fursan-e-Muhammad, known for its militant activities in the region, has frequently targeted security forces and government installations. The attack comes amid a noticeable increase in terror activities in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, following the TTP’s termination of its ceasefire with the government in November 2022.

Last week, the government of Islamabad categorically ruled out the possibility of negotiations with the TTP, setting a tense backdrop for ongoing military and security efforts in the region.

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