Deadly Suicide Bombings Hit Military Base in Northwestern Pakistan

PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Two suicide bombings breached a military base wall in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, on March 4, 2025, resulting in at least 12 deaths and over 30 injuries, according to local officials.

A group claiming affiliation with the Pakistani Taliban, Jaish Al-Fursan, has taken responsibility for the attack. They stated that numerous members of the Pakistani security forces were killed in the assault. However, the military has not confirmed these claims, and Bannu District Hospital reports that 12 fatalities have been recorded.

According to a security official who requested anonymity, the two suicide bombers detonated their devices near the compound’s wall. Following the breaches, a group of five to six additional attackers attempted to enter the facility but were neutralized by security forces.

The incident occurred shortly after sunset, coinciding with the evening prayers during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The area was crowded with civilians breaking their fast at the time of the explosions.

Jaish Al-Fursan released a statement claiming their attack was executed using explosive-laden vehicles. Local police officer Zahid Khan reported seeing plumes of gray smoke rise into the air and hearing gunfire following the explosions. Four children were confirmed among the deceased, all of whom lived nearby.

Muhammad Noman, a spokesman for Bannu District Hospital, detailed the destruction caused by the blasts, noting that homes and buildings suffered significant damage. “The roofs and walls collapsed, and that’s why we are receiving casualties,” Noman said.

Dr. Ahmed Faraz Khan, the hospital director, reported, “So far we have received 42 victims, 12 dead and 30 injured. A few of them are critical, but most are stable. All doctors, particularly surgeons and paramedical staff, have been called for duty as a medical emergency has been imposed.”

Additionally, the explosions caused the roof of a nearby mosque to collapse while worshippers were still inside, exacerbating the tragedy, according to provincial government spokesman Muhammad Ali Saif.

Rescue workers excavating the rubble managed to retrieve the body of the mosque’s imam during their search for victims.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attacks, expressing his deep sorrow over the loss of life. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur ordered an inquiry into the incident.

Bannu has previously been targeted by militants; in November, a suicide car bomb attack left 12 troops dead and wounded several others. Again, in July, a suicide bomber detonated his vehicle near the military facility while other attackers opened fire, marking a worrying trend in violence in the region.