• Lt Col, sepoy martyred in suicide bombing
• Five terrorists killed as forces foil their attempt to infiltrate city
• ISPR says Taliban regime failed to prevent use of Afghan soil for attacks inside Pakistan
• Suspected female suicide bomber held in Dera
• Three killed in Tirah shelling
BANNU: A convoy of security forces was targeted by “Indian proxy Fitna al Khwarij” in Bannu district during an intelligence-based operation against the reported presence of terrorists, including a suicide bomber.
A vehicle-borne suicide bomber was intercepted by the leading group, foiling an attempt to target civilians and law enforcement personnel in the city area of Bannu and averting a major catastrophe.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), terrorists were located during the operation and, after an intense exchange of fire, five were killed by security forces. However, in desperation, the terrorists rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into one of the vehicles of the leading group.
As a result, Lt Col Shahzada Gul Faraz, 43, a resident of Mansehra and commanding officer who was leading his troops from the front, embraced martyrdom along with Sepoy Karamat Shah, 28, a resident of Peshawar.
The ISPR said the terrorists were continuing their terrorist activities inside Pakistan using Afghan soil, even during the holy month of Ramazan. It stressed that the Afghan Taliban regime had failed to prevent the use of Afghan territory for attacks inside Pakistan.
There were some reports in the early hours of Sunday morning that Pakistan carried out precision strikes inside Afghanistan, but there was no official word on this till filing of this report.
The earlier ISPR statement, however, said Pakistan would not exercise restraint and operations would continue against the perpetrators of a “heinous and cowardly act”, irrespective of their location.
It added that the counterterrorism campaign under the vision of “Azm-i-Istehkam”, approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan, would continue at full pace to eliminate foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism. The sacrifices of security personnel reinforced the country’s commitment to safeguarding the nation at all costs, it said.
‘Female suicide bomber’ held
In a separate development, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) claimed to have averted a major incident by arresting a suspected female suicide bomber during a raid in the Sheikh Yousaf Khema Basti area of Dera Ismail Khan district.
According to a CTD spokesperson, intelligence reports indicated the presence of a young woman allegedly linked to a banned outfit and preparing for a suicide attack. Acting on the tip-off, a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team conducted a raid at the specified location.
Officials said the suspect, identified only by the initial “Z”, was taken into custody after preliminary questioning.
During interrogation, she allegedly disclosed that she had been trained by a terrorist commander, identified as Shah Wali alias Tariq Kochi, who is reportedly deceased.
The suspect further claimed that she had recently consented to carry out a suicide attack and that a suicide vest and target were to be provided by another terrorist commander identified as Asim, police said.
During a search of the tent, officials recovered a commando bag containing a pistol with ammunition, two mobile phones allegedly used for contact with members of a banned organisation, a power bank and other items. Police also claimed to have recovered a perfume bottle allegedly intended to mask the smell of explosives.
The suspect has been formally arrested and shifted for further investigation.
Sources told Dawn that the suspect was 15 or 16 years old and belonged to the Tariq Kochi group, which was dominant in South Waziristan.
She had reportedly spent six months in South Waziristan, where she was radicalised, before moving to Bannu.
According to the source, after Tariq Kochi was killed, she came to Dera Ismail Khan, where she was arrested. She is originally from South Waziristan district but had been living in DI Khan.
The source further said she had visited South Waziristan to seek help from Tariq Kochi regarding a personal or domestic issue involving her sister.
He allegedly exploited the situation and radicalised her for a suicide attack.
“The target was not yet selected, as Tariq was killed before he could materialise the plan,” the source quoted her as telling investigators.
Further investigation is under way to verify the suspect’s claims and trace her alleged handlers.
Meanwhile, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi praised the CTD officials for the operation. In a statement, he said the action had saved the district from a potential tragedy and loss of lives.
Mortar shell hits vehicle in Tirah
Three people were killed and seven others injured when a mortar shell hit a moving vehicle in Tirah valley on Saturday. Local sources said the incident occurred in the Endra Akkakhel area near the border with Orakzai district.
A group of Akkakhel tribesmen were returning home in a pickup after purchasing essential daily-use items, including food for iftar, when their vehicle was struck by a stray mortar shell.
At least three residents died on the spot, while seven others were injured and shifted to a nearby health facility.
It could not be immediately ascertained from where the mortar shell was fired.
The incident was the first of its kind since the evacuation of the majority of Tirah residents from their homes in late December.
“Collateral damage” during intelligence-based operations in different parts of the restive Tirah valley has been a major concern for residents, as scores of people, mostly women and children, have perished in such incidents over the past two years.
Quadcopter strike in Tank
A suspected quadcopter attack targeted the judicial rest house located within the deputy commissioner’s compound in Upper South Waziristan’s Tank district on Friday night, officials confirmed. No casualties were reported.
Deputy Commissioner Asmat Ullah Wazir told Dawn by phone that unidentified individuals allegedly carried out the attack using a quadcopter drone, targeting the judicial rest house inside the DC compound.
He said the strike caused partial damage to the judicial rest house; however, all staff present there remained safe.
According to an official report issued by the district administration, the attack took place at around 10:15pm near the parking area of the rest house.
Two vehicles parked nearby sustained minor damage, while windows and the main entrance gate suffered splinter damage.
Sources in the Upper South Waziristan district administration said security forces and law enforcement agencies reached the site soon after the attack.
The surrounding area was cordoned off and evidence collection began immediately.
Mr Wazir said police were examining multiple aspects of the incident to identify those responsible. Initial assessments indicate that the damage was limited to property and the overall situation remains under control.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. Authorities noted a rise in quadcopter-related attacks by terrorist groups over the past year across Upper and Lower South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat and Bannu, raising serious security concerns in the region.
Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2026