Latest news with #Bannu
Arab News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
A look at recent deadly attacks in Pakistan as it battles rising militancy
Following are some recent deadly attacks in Pakistan, where the government is facing insurgencies on two fronts — militant attacks in the northwest and a growing separatist insurgency in the south. MAY 21, 2025 At least three children were among five people killed when a suicide bomber targeted an army school bus in the restive Pakistani southwestern province of Balochistan, in an attack the military blamed on Indian proxies. The Indian government did not respond to a request for comment on the accusation. MARCH 11, 2025 A total of 31 people, including soldiers, staff, and civilians, were killed by militants who hijacked a train as it traveled through a remote mountain pass in Balochistan. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), the biggest of several ethnic armed groups fighting the government, claimed responsibility. MARCH 4, 2025 Suicide bombers drove two vehicles packed with explosives into a military base in the town of Bannu in the northwest, killing 18 people, including six children. No group claimed responsibility for the violence. NOVEMBER 1, 2024 A blast targeting a police van in Mastung town in Balochistan killed seven people, including five school students, and injured 23 others. No group claimed responsibility. AUGUST 26, 2024 At least 38 civilians and 14 soldiers were killed as separatist militants attacked police stations, railway lines and highways in Balochistan, and security forces launched retaliatory operations. The BLA claimed responsibility for the attacks, the most widespread in the country in years. DECEMBER 12, 2023 At least 57 people, including seven children, died as suicide bombings ripped through two mosques in Mastung while believers marked the birthday of the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh). No group claimed responsibility. JULY 31, 2023 A suicide bombing targeting a hard-line religious group's political rally in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province's Bajaur region killed 56 people. The Daesh militant group claimed responsibility for the blast, which took place in northwestern Pakistan.
Reuters
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Pakistan battles rising militancy: a look at recent deadly attacks
May 21 (Reuters) - Following are some recent deadly attacks in Pakistan, where the government is facing insurgencies on two fronts - militant attacks in the northwest and a growing separatist insurgency in the south. At least three children were among five people killed when a suicide bomber targeted an army school bus in the restive southwestern province of Balochistan, the military said, in an attack Pakistan blamed on Indian proxies. The Indian government did not respond to a request for comment on the accusation. MARCH 11, 2025: A total of 31 people, including soldiers, staff, and civilians, were killed by militants who hijacked a train as it travelled through a remote mountain pass in Balochistan. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), the biggest of several ethnic armed groups fighting the government, claimed responsibility. Suicide bombers drove two vehicles packed with explosives into a military base in the town of Bannu in the northwest, killing 18 people, including six children. No group claimed responsibility for the violence. A blast targeting a police van in Mastung town in Balochistan killed seven people, including five school students, and injured 23 others. No group claimed responsibility. At least 38 civilians and 14 soldiers were killed as separatist militants attacked police stations, railway lines and highways in Balochistan, and security forces launched retaliatory operations. The BLA claimed responsibility for the attacks - the most widespread in the country in years. At least 57 people, including seven children, died as suicide bombings ripped through two mosques in Mastung while believers marked the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed. No group claimed responsibility. A suicide bombing targeting a hard-line religious group's political rally in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province's Bajaur region killed 56 people. The Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for the blast, in northwestern Pakistan.
Arab News
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Two soldiers killed as militants ambush security forces convoy in northwest Pakistan— army
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan military's media wing said on Monday that two soldiers were killed were militants ambushed a security forces' convoy in the country's northwestern province bordering Afghanistan. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said it conducted an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the northwestern Lakki Marwat district on Sunday night, where five Pakistani Taliban militants were killed. In the second IBO in the northwestern Bannu district, the military said two militants were killed by security forces. However, in the North Waziristan district, Pakistani Taliban militants ambushed a security forces convoy in which two militants were killed and also two soldiers. 'However, during the intense fire exchange, two brave sons of soil, Sepoy Farhad Ali Turi (age: 29 years, resident of District Kurram) and Lance Naik Sabir Afridi (age: 32 years, resident of District Kohat) having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat [martyrdom],' the ISPR said. The military's media wing said sanitization operations were being conducted to eliminate any other 'Khawarji' found in the area, the term the army uses for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or Pakistani Taliban militants. 'Security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism perpetrated by Indian proxies, and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,' the ISPR said. The Pakistan military described TTP militants as 'Indian-sponsored,' emphasizing its earlier allegations that New Delhi funds and arms militants in Pakistan. India, however, denies using militant proxies in Pakistan. Pakistan has struggled to contain a surge in militancy in KP since a fragile truce between the Pakistani Taliban and Islamabad broke down in November 2022. The TTP and other militant groups have frequently targeted security forces convoys and check-posts, besides carrying out targeted killings and kidnappings of law enforcers and government officials in recent months. Pakistan says the takeover of Kabul by the Afghan Taliban in 2021 has emboldened the TTP as it is able to operate out of and launch attacks from safe havens in neighboring Afghanistan. Kabul denies the allegation.
Express Tribune
11-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PA seeks bicameral system in Punjab
The Punjab Assembly, with a majority vote, passed a resolution demanding an amendment to the Constitution for establishing a parliamentary system in Punjab similar to the National Assembly and Senate at the federal level. The resolution, jointly presented by the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and its allied Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), highlighted Punjab's massive population, stating that among 171 countries, only 11 nations have a larger population than Punjab. Given this demographic size, the resolution stressed the need for broader representation of experts and professionals in administrative matters and decision-making. Although the current constitutional framework does not provide for such a system, the House urged the federal government to introduce the necessary amendments to allow Punjab to have a parliamentary system like the federation. In a separate resolution, lawmakers unanimously condemned the recent Bannu attack and expressed their unwavering support for Pakistan's armed forces, recognising their sacrifices in maintaining national security. The House proceedings commenced three hours and 50 minutes late, prompting strong reactions from both treasury and opposition benches, especially since many members were fasting. As the session began, opposition lawmakers entered the assembly, chanting slogans in favour of PTI's founding chairman, Imran Khan. Due to the absence of the parliamentary secretary, the scheduled question-answer session was postponed. PPP MPA Shazia Abid accused Punjab Police officers of harassing her family members and even detaining her son, demanding Rs200,000 for his release. The revelation sparked outrage across party lines, with lawmakers condemning the incident. In response, Deputy Speaker Zaheer Iqbal Channer referred the matter to the Privilege Committee and summoned the concerned Superintendent of Police (SP) by March 12, directing him to submit a report to the House. Opposition lawmakers lambasted the provincial government for its lack of comprehensive policies to support farmers, warning of an impending wheat crisis. They also demanded the immediate activation of the South Punjab Secretariat, arguing that despite billions being spent on its construction, the facility remains non-functional. They insisted that making the secretariat operational would help resolve the grievances of over 40 million people in South Punjab. During the proceedings, Deputy Speaker Channer postponed a resolution submitted by IPP's Shoaib Siddiqi, which sought approval for constructing a five-star hotel inside Gaddafi Stadium to address public inconvenience during cricket events. The resolution was delayed until the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) provides an official response. After completing the day's agenda, Deputy Speaker Channer adjourned the House until March 12 at 11:00 am.
