The death toll from a suicide attack targeting a police checkpoint in the Fatihkhel area of Bannu district, located in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, has risen to 15, while three additional police officers were injured.
The explosion occurred on Saturday evening after attackers reportedly detonated a vehicle packed with explosives near the police post.
Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported that the blast was so powerful that the checkpoint was completely destroyed and nearby buildings suffered severe damage.
Local hospitals reportedly declared an emergency following the attack.
According to reports, 18 police personnel were present at the checkpoint at the time of the bombing, meaning all officers stationed there were either killed or wounded.
The militant group “Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen” has claimed responsibility for the attack. According to United Nations reporting, the group is also believed to maintain activities inside Afghanistan.
The bombing comes amid a significant deterioration in security conditions across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan.
Islamabad has repeatedly accused the Afghan Taliban of providing support and safe haven to Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups—claims the Taliban deny.
Bannu has emerged as one of the most volatile districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in recent months, witnessing repeated deadly attacks against security forces and civilians.
Security analysts say the scale and coordination of the bombing reflect the continued operational capabilities of militant networks in the region and underline Pakistan’s growing challenges in stabilizing its western border areas.
