At least three Pakistani police officers were killed following an explosion and armed assault in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
According to reports, the attack targeted a security checkpoint in the city of Bannu and involved both an explosive device and a direct armed raid by militants.
Reuters reported that explosives had been planted inside a vehicle, which was detonated near the police post.
Sources said that following the explosion, armed attackers stormed the area, triggering clashes with Pakistani security forces.
Initial reports also suggest that more than 15 additional security personnel may have been killed, although Pakistani authorities have not yet officially confirmed the final casualty figures.
The attack comes amid a growing wave of violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a region that has increasingly witnessed armed assaults, bombings, and militant operations against security forces in recent years.
Security analysts say the combination of a bombing followed by a direct assault demonstrates a higher level of coordination and operational planning by the attackers.
The incident is likely to intensify pressure on Pakistan’s government and military leadership to reassess counterinsurgency strategies and strengthen security measures in border and tribal regions.
The continued rise in such attacks also reflects broader concerns over militant regrouping and the persistent instability affecting Pakistan’s northwestern frontier areas.
