Twelve Security Personnel Killed in Pakistan Bombing

A suicide bomber targeted a joint check post in the Mali Khel area of Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on Tuesday night, resulting in the deaths of at least 12 security personnel, including 10 soldiers and two members of the Frontier Constabulary. The Pakistan Army's media wing reported that the attack was carried out by a faction of the Pakistani Taliban, specifically the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, which claimed responsibility. Following the blast, which caused structural damage, six terrorists were killed in the ensuing firefight. This incident is part of a wider trend, as Pakistan has experienced a significant increase in violence, particularly in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan regions, with a reported 90% surge in attacks over the last year. In response to the escalating violence, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a comprehensive military operation against terrorist groups, including those in Balochistan. The situation underscores the ongoing security challenges faced by the country amid rising militant activity.