Bannu Cantonment attack

On 15 July 2024, before dawn, the Bannu Cantonment in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, was targeted by ten militants from the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group of the Pakistani Taliban, based in Afghanistan. The militants attempted to breach the cantonment's defenses but were repelled by the Pakistan Armed Forces. In retaliation, the militants detonated a vehicle filled with explosives against the cantonment's boundary wall, causing a section of it to collapse and inflicting damage on the nearby infrastructure. The attack resulted in the killing of eight soldiers and injuries to over 141 others including, seven civilians who were also injured in the crossfire. Despite the initial breach, the security forces swiftly responded, neutralizing all ten attackers.

Casualties
The explosion caused a section of the wall to collapse and inflicted damage on the nearby infrastructure. Eight soldiers of the Pakistan Army killed in the incident.

Counter-attack
The security forces swiftly responded to the attack, resulting in the neutralization of all ten militants. Military helicopters were dispatched to the region and ground troops were also deployed in the region. A military operation is being conducted in the area by Pakistan Army. Special Service Group was also deployed in the area.

Perpetrators
The attack was carried out by the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, which is based in Afghanistan. This group has previously used Afghan territory to plan and execute terrorist activities inside Pakistan.

Aftermath
Pakistan has repeatedly expressed its concerns to the Interim Afghan Government, urging them to prevent the misuse of Afghan territory by terrorists and to take effective action against such elements. The Pakistan Armed Forces have reaffirmed their commitment to protect the country from the threat of terrorism and are prepared to take all necessary steps to counter these threats originating from Afghanistan.