Suicide Blast at Pakistan Police Post Kills 14 Officers

A suicide attack on a security post in northwest Pakistan has killed at least 14 police officers, authorities said early Sunday. The assault was later claimed by a breakaway faction linked to the Pakistan Taliban.

The attack took place late Saturday in Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, near the Afghan border. According to senior police official Sajjad Khan, a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the police post, followed by an armed assault by gunmen, triggering a fierce exchange of fire.

Several officers died during the gun battle, while others were killed when parts of the building collapsed due to the explosion. Rescue teams later recovered bodies from the rubble after an hours-long operation using heavy machinery. Three police officers were also injured.

On Sunday, hundreds gathered at the police headquarters in Bannu for the funerals of the slain officers. Coffins draped in the national flag were carried in solemn processions as grieving families and colleagues paid their last respects under tight security.

Security forces have launched a search operation to track down those involved in the attack.

A newly formed militant group, Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan, claimed responsibility in a statement sent to media outlets. Authorities, however, believe the group may be linked to splinter factions of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Pakistan has seen a rise in militant violence in recent years, with most attacks attributed to the TTP, which is allied with the Afghan Taliban. Islamabad has repeatedly accused Afghanistan of providing safe havens to TTP fighters, a claim denied by Kabul.

President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack and expressed condolences to the victims’ families, while directing officials to assist the injured and those affected by damage to nearby homes.

In his statement, he alleged that militants operating from sanctuaries in Afghanistan and backed externally were targeting civilians and security personnel, vowing action against their “facilitators and sponsors.”

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also strongly condemned the attack.

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have remained high, with intermittent cross-border clashes in recent months despite China-mediated peace talks held in April.