Bannu Cantonment attack

Bannu Cantonment Attack

CCTV of the explosion
Date15 July 2024
Location
Bannu Cantonment, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Result

Pakistani victory

  • Attack repelled
  • All attackers eliminated
Belligerents

Pakistan

Pakistani Taliban

Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group
Commanders and leaders
Hafiz Gul Bahadur
Strength
10 attackers
Casualties and losses
8 soldiers killed
141 injured[1] (including at least 7 civilians)[2][3]		 10 attackers killed

On 15 July 2024, before dawn, the Bannu Cantonment in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, was targeted by ten militants from the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group of the Pakistani Taliban, based in Afghanistan. The militants attempted to breach the cantonment's defenses but were repelled by the Pakistan Armed Forces. In retaliation, the militants detonated a vehicle filled with explosives against the cantonment's boundary wall, causing a section of it to collapse and inflicting damage on the nearby infrastructure. The attack resulted in the killing of eight soldiers and injuries to over 141 others including, seven civilians who were also injured in the crossfire. Despite the initial breach, the security forces swiftly responded, neutralizing all ten attackers.[4][5][6][7]

Casualties

The explosion caused a section of the wall to collapse and inflicted damage on the nearby infrastructure. Eight soldiers of the Pakistan Army killed in the incident.[4][8]

Counter-attack

The security forces swiftly responded to the attack, resulting in the neutralization of all ten militants.[4][5] Military helicopters were dispatched to the region and ground troops were also deployed in the region.[9] A military operation is being conducted in the area by Pakistan Army.[10] Special Service Group was also deployed in the area.[7]

Perpetrators

The attack was carried out by the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, which is based in Afghanistan.[11] This group has previously used Afghan territory to plan and execute terrorist activities inside Pakistan.[4]

Aftermath

Pakistan has repeatedly expressed its concerns to the Interim Afghan Government, urging them to prevent the misuse of Afghan territory by terrorists and to take effective action against such elements. The Pakistan Armed Forces have reaffirmed their commitment to protect the country from the threat of terrorism and are prepared to take all necessary steps to counter these threats originating from Afghanistan.[11][4][5]

March 2025 attack

On March 4, 2025, a terrorist attack struck the Bannu Cantonment. Four suicide bombers detonated explosives at the base's perimeter, allowing armed militants to enter and engage in a fierce gun battle with security forces. The attack resulted in at least 16 deaths, meanwhile 13 civilians lost their lives, while 30 others sustained injuries.[12] The militant group Jaish Al-Fursan, affiliated with the Pakistani Taliban, claimed responsibility. The explosions also damaged nearby buildings, including a mosque, where civilians were caught in the collapse. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and COAS Asim Munir strongly condemned the attack, pledging a firm response against terrorism.[13][14][15]

See also

References

  1. ^ "At least 8 Pakistani soldiers killed in military base suicide attack". Al Jazeera. 16 July 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  2. ^ "Seven civilians injured as militants attack army cantonment in northwest Pakistan — police". Arab news. 15 July 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  3. ^ "Pakistan: Attack on northwestern health facility killed 5 civilians, 2 soldiers". Voice of America. 16 July 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Eight soldiers martyred as security forces thwart terrorist attack on Bannu Cantonment". Tribune. 16 July 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  5. ^ a b c "8 soldiers martyred, 10 terrorists killed in attack on Bannu Cantonment". Samaa. 16 July 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  6. ^ https://www.radio.gov.pk/16-07-2024/10-terrorists-killed-in-thwarted-attack-on-bannu-cantonment
  7. ^ a b "3 killed in car bomb-and-gun attack on Pakistan military compound". Voice of America. 15 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  8. ^ "Eight soldiers embraced martyrdom, ten terrorists killed in Bannu Cantonment attack". Associated Press Pakistan. 16 July 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  9. ^ "8 civilians wounded in 2 coordinated suicide attacks near a military facility in northwest Pakistan". Hindustan Times. 15 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  10. ^ "Security forces foil terrorist attack in Bannu: state media". Dawn. 15 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  11. ^ a b "Bannu Cantt attack undertaken by Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, which operates from Afghanistan: ISPR". Business Recorder. 16 July 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  12. ^ "Pakistan mourns civilians, soldiers killed in Bannu attack – DW – 03/05/2025". dw.com. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  13. ^ Khan, Tahir (5 March 2025). "All 16 terrorists killed as security forces respond to Bannu Cantt attack: ISPR". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  14. ^ "Terrorist attack foiled at Bannu Cantt by security forces: ISPR". The Express Tribune. 4 March 2025. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  15. ^ Story by (5 March 2025). "Deadly attack rocks Pakistan military base". CNN. Associated Press. Retrieved 7 March 2025.

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