Pakistan: Suicide Bomb Attack By TTP Offshoot On Military Convoy In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Leaves 16 Soldiers Dead, Several Others Injured

Peshawar: At least 16 Pakistani soldiers were killed after a suicide bomb attack on a military convoy in the Khaddi area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's North Waziristan on Saturday. Several others, including civilians, were also injured in the attack. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) offshoot, Hafiz Gul Bahadur armed group, claimed responsibility for the attack.

As per reports, citing eyewitnesses, a suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the convoy. Roofs of two houses were also reportedly collapsed due to the explosion.

“The explosion also caused the roofs of two houses to collapse, injuring six children," a police officer told global news agency AFP. The attack was carried out by the suicide bomb squad of Hafiz Gul Bahadur armed group.

There was a surge in militant attacks on Pakistani defence forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces over the past few months. Since the beginning of this year, around 290 people, including a large number of Pakistan security personnel, were killed in separate militant attacks in the province, reported AFP.

Notably, there has been a sharp increase in violence in Pakistani regions bordering Afghanistan since the Taliban came to power in 2021.

Attack On Jandola Military Base Of Pakistan Army In March This Year:

In March this year also, TTP launched a massive suicide attack on the Jandola military base in Tank District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Pakistani Army suffered heavy casualties in the attack. According to reports, a powerful vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED), causing extensive damage throughout the military facility. TTP militants then infiltrated into the base.