Pakistan Mourns as 18 Killed in Twin Suicide Bombing

The bombers detonated explosives to breach the base's perimeter wall while many locals were breaking their fast for Ramadan or praying at a nearby mosque. The blasts caused severe damage to the mosque, tearing off roofs and sending debris across the area. Other attackers entered the base, sparking a gun battle with security forces.

An army statement confirmed that five soldiers and 16 militants were killed. Gunfire could still be heard as security forces searched the area for remaining attackers. At the scene, a mechanical digger cleared rubble from demolished homes, while prayer mats were found scattered in the damaged mosque.

Joint funeral prayers were held for the victims at a local sports complex. “All educational institutions are closed,” said Alam Khan, a community elder. “Most shops are shut. Rescue teams have recovered three bodies of worshippers trapped under the collapsed roof.”

Bannu, located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province near the Afghan border, is known for being a hotspot for armed groups. Jaish Al-Fursan, a faction of the Pakistani Taliban, claimed responsibility for the bombing.

This attack follows a string of militant incidents in Bannu. Last November, a suicide car bomb killed 12 soldiers, while a similar bombing occurred in July.

In a separate incident on the same day, a bomb exploded at a shop in Nal, Balochistan, killing three and injuring five, with suspicions pointing to Baloch separatists. Additionally, a drive-by shooting in Peshawar's Uzair Town killed intelligence officer Shahid Anwar.

The attacks underline the ongoing security challenges in Pakistan as militants continue to target both military and civilian sites.