Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif denounced the attackers as “cowardly terrorists who target innocent civilians during the holy month of Ramadan” and asserted that they “deserve no mercy.”
Chronicle of the Attack
Explosives-laden vehicles were driven by militants into a wall at the Bannu military base in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
According to Pakhtoon Yar Khan, a provincial minister, the attackers initiated a confrontation with the army after breaching the base from two sides.
“Following an intense operation that continued into the morning, all attackers were neutralized,” stated Khan.
Pakistan’s military confirmed that “in this intense firefight, five courageous soldiers laid down their lives after putting up a heroic fight in the line of duty.”
The military’s report also revealed that 16 militants, including four suicide bombers, were killed.
Mosque Severely Damaged
The explosions led to the collapse of a nearby mosque’s roof during prayers. The event took place after sunset, a common time for breaking the fast during Ramadan.
At least 13 civilians, including six children, lost their lives in the attack, with approximately 30 others injured, some critically.
Rescue teams dug through the debris to retrieve the bodies of worshippers trapped under the collapsed mosque roof. The machinery cleared the wreckage as prayer mats, dusty and disheveled, lay on the mosque floor.
Alam Khan, a leader in the Bannu community, announced that joint funeral prayers for the victims would be conducted at a local sports complex.
In recent months, Bannu has experienced a series of militant attacks amid a surge in violence in the region. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where Bannu is located, shares a border with Afghanistan, home to multiple militant organizations.
