Pakistan: Suicide bomber blows himself up before reaching target in Bannu, accomplice flees injured

Representational Image

A suspected suicide bomber was killed in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Tuesday after detonating his explosive vest prematurely, preventing what police said could have been a major attack. The blast occurred near the Doa Ghoda Bridge in the Surani area of Bannu district, a region frequently targeted by militants linked to the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

According to local police, the attacker, riding a motorcycle, blew himself up before reaching his intended target. No civilian or security casualties were reported, and no property damage occurred. Officials identified the bomber as Ziad alias Hamza, described as a wanted militant who had orchestrated several assassinations of police and Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel in Bannu. He was also known for his expertise in assembling improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Police said the bomber’s accomplice managed to escape, reportedly injured, while law enforcement recovered a pistol, ammunition, and bomb-making materials from the site. A search operation has been launched in surrounding areas to track the fugitive.

Bannu and other parts of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have seen a resurgence in militant violence over the past year, with attacks targeting police, soldiers, and government installations. The region, which borders Afghanistan, has long been a stronghold for the TTP and affiliated groups that re-emerged after the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in 2021.

Tuesday’s failed bombing underscores the continuing security challenge facing Pakistan, where despite repeated military operations, extremist networks remain active and capable of launching attacks against state forces.