Suspected suicide attack targets police post in Bannu

BANNU: A suspected suicide bombing targeted the Fateh Khel police station in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district on Saturday, when a vehicle packed with explosives was allegedly driven into the facility, according to police and initial reports.

The assault was followed by several strong blasts and heavy firing in the area, creating panic among residents. Initial information indicated that at least four explosions were heard, with the sound carrying over a considerable distance.

Reports said the attackers rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the police station and then opened intense fire from multiple directions. Casualties were feared, but no official confirmation was available at the time of reporting.

Nearby civilian neighbourhoods also sustained extensive damage in the explosions, according to further reports.

Police said additional contingents from Bannu were sent to the site after the attack, while rescue teams were also dispatched. Bannu Regional Police Officer Sajjad Khan personally led the police response, police said.

According to police officials, Bannu police personnel are

responding with bravery, courage and professional skill

while a search operation was launched after the area was sealed off.

An emergency was declared at all three hospitals in the district following the incident. Police also intensified snap-checking and strengthened checkpoints across the city, while security agencies were closely monitoring the situation.

Police said local residents had also come out in support of law enforcement personnel.

Recent violence in Bannu

The attack came a day after an explosion in a residential area of Bannu, which police said occurred after a quadcopter drone reportedly crashed. Eight people, including women, were injured in that incident.

According to police, the drone entered the area from an unknown location and exploded shortly after falling near homes, leaving several people wounded.

Bannu has witnessed repeated security incidents in recent months, with both civilians and local security personnel coming under attack amid a wider rise in militant violence.

The district has seen attacks on police and jirga members, prompting targeted operations by police and other security forces in different localities aimed at disrupting militant networks.

Authorities continued response and search efforts in the Fateh Khel area as the situation developed.