Suicide attack targets police station in KP's Bannu, casualties feared

BANNU: A suspected suicide attack was carried out on the Fateh Khel police station in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district on Saturday, using a vehicle laden with explosives.

The attack triggered multiple powerful explosions followed by intense gunfire in the area.

According to sources, at least four explosions occurred during the attack, which were heard some distance away and spread fear and panic among local residents.

Initial reports suggest that a vehicle filled with explosives was rammed into the police station, after which the attackers opened heavy fire from multiple directions. Casualties are feared in the attack; however, there is no official confirmation yet.

Further reports indicated that nearby civilian areas also suffered severe damage due to the explosions.

Following the incident, additional contingents of Bannu police reached the site, while rescue teams were also dispatched. Bannu Regional Police Officer Sajjad Khan personally led the police operation

According to police officials, Bannu police personnel are “responding with bravery, courage and professional skill”, while a search operation has been launched after the area was cordoned off. Meanwhile, an emergency has been declared in all three hospitals in the district.

Police checkpoints and snap-checking have been intensified across the city, while residents have also come out in support of law enforcement personnel. Security agencies are closely monitoring the situation.

A day prior, an explosion, following the reported crash of a quadcopter drone, injured eight people, including women, in a residential area in Bannu.

According to police, the drone flew into the area from an unknown location and exploded shortly after falling near a residential area, leaving several people injured.

Bannu district has been the scene of repeated security incidents in recent months, with both civilians and local security forces coming under attack amid a broader surge in militant violence.

Violence in Bannu has included attacks on police and jirga members, prompting targeted operations by police and security forces in various localities to disrupt militant networks.