In a deadly assault, Islamist militants disguised as women in burkas stormed the district police office in Bannu, located in northwestern Pakistan, on Monday, resulting in the deaths of four police officers and one civilian. The five attackers, who were also armed with suicide vests, were eventually shot and killed by security forces after an hours-long confrontation. The incident marked the latest escalation in violence in the region, which has been plagued by militancy for years, particularly following the resurgence of the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan.
The brazen attack began in the early afternoon, as five militants, wearing full burkas to conceal their weapons, approached the heavily guarded police complex in Bannu, a town located about 350 km (217 miles) from Islamabad and approximately 40 km (25 miles) from the volatile North Waziristan tribal region, a hotbed for insurgency on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. According to provincial police chief Akhtar Hayat, the militants infiltrated the premises disguised as women, using the burkas to mask their identities and carrying lethal weapons, including firearms and explosive suicide vests.
The militants launched their assault during a vulnerable moment when many police officers had gathered at the complex for the funeral of a fellow officer who had been killed in a separate militant attack just a day earlier. “They knew we were in a period of mourning, which made us an easier target,” said a senior police official from Bannu, who wished to remain anonymous.
As soon as the militants reached the gate of the police headquarters, they opened fire, triggering a firefight with officers stationed at the entrance. “The attackers were highly coordinated and determined. They seemed well-prepared for the assault,” said district police official Imran Shahid.
The ensuing battle lasted for several hours, as the militants barricaded themselves within the complex and exchanged heavy gunfire with police forces. “Four of the attackers were wearing suicide vests, and they were clearly aiming for mass casualties,” said Shahid. “Fortunately, our forces acted quickly, and we were able to neutralize them before they could detonate the vests.” The siege left four police officers and one civilian dead, with several others injured.
Provincial minister Pakhtoon Yar Khan, who is from the district, confirmed that five militants were killed during the standoff. “The militants were all disguised in burkas, which allowed them to reach the gate of the police base unnoticed. However, thanks to the bravery of our officers, the situation was brought under control,” Khan said.
In a statement issued later in the day, the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), claimed responsibility for the attack. The TTP has been active in Pakistan’s northwestern tribal regions and has carried out numerous attacks against government and military targets in recent years.
The attack on Bannu’s police headquarters is part of a broader surge in militant violence that has gripped Pakistan in recent months. Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, Islamabad has witnessed a dramatic escalation in attacks, with Pakistani authorities accusing Kabul of failing to curb the TTP’s activities across the border.
Bannu, which lies near the restive North Waziristan region, has long been a focal point for militancy. The region served as a base for insurgent groups, including the TTP, before Pakistan’s military launched a series of operations aimed at clearing the area of extremists. Despite these efforts, the border regions remain porous, and militants continue to launch cross-border attacks, often finding sanctuary in Afghanistan’s rugged terrain.
Akhtar Hayat, the provincial police chief, reiterated that the resurgence of militancy was a direct consequence of the political changes in Afghanistan. “Since the Taliban took over in Kabul, we have seen an influx of militants crossing the border into Pakistan. They are regrouping, recruiting, and carrying out attacks with alarming frequency,” Hayat said. Islamabad has repeatedly urged Afghanistan’s rulers to take action against the TTP, but efforts to secure the border have so far been largely ineffective.
The TTP, an umbrella organization of various Islamist militant factions operating in Pakistan’s tribal regions, is considered the largest threat to Islamabad. While the group shares ideological similarities with the Afghan Taliban, its primary objective is to overthrow the Pakistani government and establish a strict interpretation of Islamic law. The group has been responsible for numerous high-profile attacks, including the 2014 Peshawar school massacre, which left over 140 people dead, most of them children.
In recent months, the TTP has intensified its campaign against Pakistan’s security forces, particularly in the northwest border regions. Monday’s attack in Bannu comes on the heels of several other deadly assaults, underscoring the challenges faced by the Pakistani military and police in maintaining control over these areas.
As the smoke cleared from the scene of Monday’s attack, the full scale of the tragedy began to emerge. Families of the slain officers gathered outside the police headquarters, many in tears as they awaited news of their loved ones. “My brother gave his life defending this city,” said the sister of one of the fallen officers. “He was a hero, but our family is shattered.”
In addition to the four police officers who were killed, a civilian who had been present at the police complex was also caught in the crossfire and lost his life. Several other officers were injured in the attack, with some in critical condition. The attack has left the community in Bannu reeling, with many residents expressing fear that the violence will only continue to escalate.
“We live in constant fear here,” said a local shopkeeper who lives near the police complex. “There’s always a sense that the militants could strike at any time. It’s hard to feel safe.”
The attack in Bannu comes at a particularly sensitive time for Pakistan, as the country is set to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Islamabad, with Chinese Premier Li Qiang among the prominent attendees. The capital has been placed under strict security lockdown in preparation for the high-profile event, but the rising wave of militancy in other parts of the country casts a shadow over the summit.
Just days before the attack in Bannu, two Chinese engineers were killed in a bombing in Karachi, highlighting the growing threat to foreign nationals working in Pakistan. Additionally, 20 coal miners were shot dead by heavily armed men in the southwestern province of Balochistan, another region plagued by insurgency. The spate of attacks in the run-up to the summit has raised concerns about Pakistan’s ability to ensure security for its international guests.
China, a key economic partner for Pakistan, has invested billions in infrastructure projects as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship initiative under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). However, these projects have increasingly become targets for militant groups, including the Balochistan separatists and Islamist extremists, who view Chinese interests in Pakistan as a legitimate target.
In the aftermath of Monday’s attack, Pakistani officials condemned the violence and vowed to intensify counterterrorism efforts. Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, in a televised address, expressed condolences to the families of the victims and called for national unity in the face of rising extremism. “The sacrifices of our brave police officers will not be in vain,” Kakar said. “We will not allow these terrorists to undermine the security and stability of our nation.”
Pakistan’s military leadership has also promised a strong response to the escalating threat. In a statement, the country’s armed forces pledged to continue operations against militant groups operating in the border regions. “We will pursue these terrorists wherever they hide,” said a military spokesperson. “Our resolve is unshakable.”
However, experts warn that without addressing the root causes of militancy, including the political instability in Afghanistan and the porous nature of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, the cycle of violence is likely to continue.
As Pakistan grapples with the growing threat posed by the TTP and other militant groups, the country finds itself at a crossroads. The delicate balance between security, political stability, and regional diplomacy is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain, particularly as insurgent groups grow more emboldened.
For the residents of Bannu and other conflict-ridden regions, the immediate concern remains survival. “We need peace, but we don’t know when it will come,” said a local teacher, reflecting the uncertainty and fear that now permeates daily life in the northwest.
In the face of mounting challenges, Pakistan’s leadership must navigate a complex web of internal and external pressures to restore stability and security in a country that has long been on the frontlines of the global fight against extremism. The attack on Bannu’s police headquarters is a stark reminder that this battle is far from over.
