Five civilian martyred as suicide car bomb hits Bannu police station

• Four members of same family, including a couple and their two kids among those martyred in Domel blast

• 13 injured, including a policeman, with several of them in critical condition

• Explosives-laden vehicle rams police station, triggers massive blast

• Police foil major breach, attacker detonates near civilian area

• Homes collapse as powerful explosion rocks neighbourhood

 BANNU: At least five people, including four members of the same family, were martyred and 13 others — among them a policeman — were injured in a suicide car bombing targeting the Domel Police Station in Bannu, Regional Police Officer (RPO) Sajjad Khan said.

Police and rescue officials identified the deceased as members of a single family: Naqeebullah, his wife, their son Tufail Subhan, and daughter Sadaf.

RPO Khan said the injured were shifted to nearby hospitals, where they are receiving medical treatment.

According to eyewitnesses, the powerful explosion occurred when an explosives-laden vehicle rammed into the rear side of the police station, triggering a massive blast followed by a heavy exchange of gunfire.

The intensity of the explosion was so severe that it was heard miles away.

Initial reports suggested that the blast completely destroyed the police station’s sentry post, while a large portion of the building was reduced to rubble.

The explosion also caused extensive damage to nearby residential areas, with multiple houses collapsing and several people trapped under the debris.

Bannu District Police Officer (DPO) Yasir Afridi said the attack was effectively foiled due to timely security measures and the professional preparedness of the police.

Initial assessments indicated that the attackers attempted to ram a vehicle carrying approximately 1,000 to 1,500 kilograms of explosives into the police station wall but failed to breach it, detonating the explosives in a nearby civilian area instead.

Authorities said effective defensive measures prevented the attacker from entering the police station; however, the explosion in the adjacent civilian locality resulted in casualties.

Rescue teams, along with local residents, continued efforts to clear debris and carry out relief operations.

Police said the attacker approached from the direction of the old tehsil building using an explosives-laden vehicle.

Hospital authorities confirmed that the injured included several women and children, as well as at least one police officer, with some reported to be in critical condition.

According to Rescue 1122, all injured were immediately shifted to nearby hospitals.

District Emergency Officer Bakhtullah Wazir confirmed that five people were martyred and 13 injured shifted for treatment, adding that search and rescue operations were ongoing and would continue until the area was fully cleared.

Rescue 1122 teams reached the site promptly, but continuous rainfall hampered relief efforts.

Announcements were made in local mosques appealing for blood donations and assistance, while residents actively participated in rescue operations.

Security forces cordoned off the area and launched a clearance operation, as authorities continued to assess the extent of casualties and damage.

 PM Shehbaz, President Zardari condemn attack

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack, expressing grief over the loss of lives and praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eliminating terrorism from the country, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.

President @AAliZardari and PM @CMShehbaz have expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in a suicide attack on Police Station #Domel in district #Bannu@PresOfPakistan @PakPMO #RadioPakistan #News https://t.co/pLydTkv2oG pic.twitter.com/AY4rgw4MuO

— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) April 3, 2026

President Asif Ali Zardari also condemned the attack, stating that eliminating foreign-sponsored terrorism remains the government’s foremost priority, and reaffirming resolve to root out the menace completely.

The National Assembly offered Fateha for the victims, with Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah informing the House that members of a single family were among those martyred. MNA Nasib Ali Shah led the prayer.

 KP Chief Minister and Punjab Chief Minister separately condemned the attack on Domel Police Station, lauding the police for their timely response.

They also expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of civilians, including four members of the same family, and prayed for the early recovery of the injured.

 Bannu witnessed repeated security incidents

Bannu district has witnessed repeated security incidents in recent months, with both civilians and security personnel coming under attack amid a broader surge in militant violence.

Recent incidents include attacks on police and jirga members, prompting targeted operations to dismantle militant networks.

Last month, at least seven police personnel, including the SHO of Shadi Khel Police Station, were martyred in an explosion near a police mobile in Lakki Marwat.

A week earlier, two policemen were killed and 15 people, including five police personnel, were injured in a blast in Rustam Bazaar area of Wana in Lower South Waziristan.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been facing a surge in terrorism since the return of the Afghan Taliban to power, with militants frequently crossing the border to target police convoys and installations.

The province recorded the highest number of militant incidents in the country.

Out of 5,397 reported incidents last year, KP accounted for 3,811, followed by Balochistan with 1,557, while only 29 incidents were reported from the rest of the country. A total of 2,597 terrorists were killed during the year.

According to the Annual Security Report 2025 by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), fatalities in KP rose significantly from 1,620 in 2024 to 2,331 in 2025.