Suicide Bombing at Military Base in Bannu, Pakistan Kills 18, Including 5 Soldiers, 36 Seriously Injured

Suicide Bombing at Military Base in Bannu, Pakistan Kills 18, Including 5 Soldiers, 36 Seriously Injured

Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan, March 5: A suicide attack in Bannu city, located in northwestern Pakistan, on Tuesday killed 18 people, including 13 civilians and 5 soldiers. Among the dead, six were children. The attack targeted a military installation, where suicide bombers drove two explosive-laden vehicles into the base and set off explosions.

The Pakistani military stated that the multiple suicide blasts caused partial collapse of the outer wall of the military compound and severely damaged nearby infrastructure, including a mosque and residential buildings. According to a hospital spokesperson, Mohammad Nauman, six children were among those killed, and 36 others were injured.

Abdullah Khan, a local resident who runs a livestock business, said this was the largest funeral the city had ever seen. Shopkeeper Riaz Wazir, who also attended the funeral, mentioned that, besides the loss of life, the explosions caused significant damage and financial losses. "Buildings that have collapsed are completely destroyed. Those that remain standing are dangerous due to the explosions, any accident could happen," he said.

The military confirmed that four suicide bombers were among 16 militants killed in the attack. However, no group has claimed responsibility for the assault yet.

The attack is believed to have been carried out by the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Pakistani Taliban group, which has been increasing attacks on police and military forces near the Afghan border. Video footage from the scene showed people sifting through the rubble and clearing away metal scaffolding from collapsed buildings.

Nauman, the hospital spokesperson, mentioned that several civilians were trapped under the rubble, and efforts were underway to rescue them.