Suicide attack in Pakistan kills 11 soldiers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

At least 11 security personnel were martyred in a terrorist attack on a joint checkpost in Bajaur district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on February 16, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), reported.

The attack, attributed to “Khwarij belonging to Indian Proxy, Fitna al Khwarij,” also killed an innocent young girl and injured seven others, including women and children, Cailber.Az reports via foreign media.

Following the assault, security forces eliminated 12 militants.

“In their desperation, the attackers rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the perimeter wall. Due to the blast impact infrastructure at the check post collapsed resultantly eleven brave sons of soil, rendered the ultimate sacrifice and embracing martyrdom,” the ISPR statement said.

“Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored kharji found in the area…security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” the ISPR added.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack. The president said, “The sacrifice made by the martyrs for the country’s defence further strengthens our resolve,” while the prime minister stated, “The entire nation stands with Pakistan’s armed forces in this war against terrorism.”

Bajaur has witnessed a rise in terrorist incidents over the past year. According to the Annual Security Report 2025 by the Centre for Research and Security Studies, fatalities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa rose from 1,620 in 2024 to 2,331 in 2025, marking a 44% year-on-year increase.

By Aghakazim Guliyev