A suicide bombing struck a security installation in Pakistan’s Bannu district on March 4, killing at least nine civilians and injuring 18, including minors. Police suspect a vehicle laden with explosives caused the blast, but security force casualties remain unclear. No group has claimed responsibility, though the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) has escalated attacks in the region. The attack occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, near the Afghan border, an area frequently targeted by militants. Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur condemned the attack and requested a detailed report from police. Authorities are investigating as Pakistan faces a surge in militant violence.
The incident in Pakistan's Bajaur district is the first of its kind reported since the Taliban took over Kabul on August 15.
Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday complained of negative messages from Washington and warned that any US raid across the Afghan border to target Haqqani group insurgents would be a violation of his country's sovereignty.