Bajaur: A militant attack on a security checkpoint in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has killed 11 security personnel and a child, underscoring growing violence near the Afghan border.
According to the military, an explosives laden vehicle rammed into the checkpoint in Bajaur district, triggering a powerful blast that damaged the structure and caused multiple casualties. Several people were injured, including women and children, and were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Security forces responded immediately after the explosion, as armed militants attempted to storm the compound. Troops repelled the assault and killed about a dozen attackers during the ensuing gunfight.
The Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the attack. The group has intensified assaults on security forces since ending its ceasefire with the government in 2022.
Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Taliban led government in Afghanistan of allowing militants to operate from its territory, a claim Kabul denies. The border region has remained volatile due to militant networks and cross border movement.
The Bajaur attack comes amid a renewed surge in violence across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where security forces have faced frequent attacks in recent months. Analysts say the incident highlights the persistent security challenges facing Pakistan in its northwest frontier.