DERA ISMAIL KHAN: One person was killed and four others injured in a quadcopter attack in the Bakakhel Customs area of Bannu, police reported on Tuesday. Bannu Regional Police Officer Rab Nawaz Khan stated that terrorists affiliated with Fitna al-Khawarij, the state's term for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), carried out the assault by dropping an explosive device within the jurisdiction of Baka Khel police station.
Details of the Attack
According to preliminary information, an explosive shell dropped from the quadcopter detonated, killing Khatirullah, son of Gul Bahadur. The injured were identified as Saifullah (son of Khatirullah, aged 14-15), Asal Jan (son of Gul Marjan), Ameerullah (son of Mir Aslam), and Shakir. All four were shifted to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital in Bannu, where they are receiving treatment.
Police Response and Security Measures
Khan noted that police had successfully thwarted several previous quadcopter attacks targeting police and security forces through anti-drone guns and other security measures at police stations, checkpoints, and sensitive locations. "Following these failures, the terrorists have turned their cowardly actions towards unarmed and innocent civilians in an attempt to spread fear and panic in the area," he said. A heavy police contingent reached the scene, cordoned off the area, and launched a search operation. Efforts are underway to arrest those responsible.
Condemnation and Ongoing Operations
Condemning the attack, Khan described those targeting unarmed civilians as "enemies of humanity" and vowed they would be brought to justice. He added that Bannu police would continue operations to protect lives and property, maintain law and order, and eliminate terrorist elements.
Recent Terrorist Incidents in Bannu
The attack came days after two separate terrorist incidents on July 1. In one, unidentified assailants detonated explosives inside the Government Girls Middle School in Mama Khel, Hassan Khel tehsil, causing partial damage to the building, including cracks in classroom walls and damage to windows and doors. In another incident the same day, suspected militants planted an explosive device beneath a key link bridge in the Bachki area of Jani Khel. Security forces and the Bomb Disposal Unit defused the device before it exploded, preventing what officials described as a major tragedy.
