Bannu Attack Kills Cop, 3 Militants in Clash

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A police constable was killed and three militants were neutralised during a large-scale terrorist attack on a police checkpoint in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), marking another surge in regional militancy. Three additional police officers sustained injuries during the firefight.

Late on August 3, a group of 40 to 50 militants launched a coordinated assault on the Fateh Khel checkpoint, blocking surrounding roads and using heavy weapons to prevent reinforcements. According to Bannu Regional Police Officer (RPO) Sajjad Khan, security forces responded with retaliatory fire, killing three attackers and wounding several others, forcing the group to retreat. A search operation was ongoing as of Sunday morning, as reported by The News.

Constable Rooh Niaz Khan, who was killed in the exchange, was honoured at a funeral held at Bannu Police Lines. The ceremony was attended by RPO Khan, District Police Officer (DPO) Saleem Abbas Kulachi, and local elders. DPO Kulachi praised Khan’s actions, stating he gave his life defending the nation. The injured officers were taken to a nearby hospital, per The Express Tribune.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the attack and alleged that it involved “Indian-sponsored terrorists,” while paying tribute to the officers’ bravery, according to Dawn. The Bannu Police reiterated their resolve to confront terrorist threats and safeguard the province.

The incident is part of a broader escalation in terrorist activity in K-P. Police data cited by Geo News indicates that 476 terror-related incidents have occurred in the province in 2025, resulting in 121 civilian deaths. Bannu has experienced repeated attacks, including a Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)-claimed assault on July 23 that killed 20 soldiers and a quadcopter strike on the Miryan police station that injured six officers, as reported by The Khorasan Diary.

Security analyst Amir Khan, speaking to Dawn, noted that evolving militant tactics require enhanced counterterrorism measures. The K-P government, led by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, has increased reliance on tribal jirgas in an effort to de-escalate local conflicts. However, continued cross-border activity and coordinated assaults highlight the complex security landscape in the region.