Lieutenant Colonel, Soldier Martyred in Bannu Terror Attack

Saturday, 21 February 2026 | Web Desk

A dastardly terrorist attack by Fitna al-Khawarij on a security forces’ convoy in the Bannu district has resulted in the martyrdom of a Pakistan Army Lieutenant Colonel and a soldier, while security forces eliminated five Khwarij terrorists in a swift operation.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces were conducting an operation in the area based on intelligence regarding a suicide bomber’s vehicle. A security forces’ squad intercepted a vehicle carrying a suicide bomber. Following this, in a desperate move, the terrorists rammed their explosives-laden vehicle into another security forces squad.

Martyrs of the Nation

The cowardly attack claimed the lives of two brave sons of the nation:

Lieutenant Colonel Shahzada Gulfraz

Sepoy Karamat Shah

Five Terrorists Sent to Hell

The ISPR confirmed that during the ensuing operation, security forces effectively engaged the terrorists, sending five Khwarij to hell. The timely and decisive response by the security forces averted a major catastrophe in Bannu.

“Elimination operations against the Khwarij will continue without discrimination,” the ISPR stated firmly.

Who Was Behind the Attack?

Security sources have revealed that the planning and execution of the suicide attack on the Pakistan Army convoy in Bannu are linked to the Fitna al-Khawarij commander Gul Bahadar, who is based in Afghanistan.

According to sources, responsibility for the Bannu suicide attack was claimed by the Khwarij-affiliated group ‘Itehad al-Mujahideen’ . This group is affiliated with the Hafiz Gul Bahadar faction of Fitna al-Khawarij.

Afghanistan Connection

Security sources disclosed that the ringleader of this group, Gul Bahadar, and his key commanders are sheltering in Afghanistan. The Gul Bahadar group has been consistently using Afghan soil to plan and orchestrate terrorist activities and unrest in Pakistan.

This is not the first time this group has targeted Bannu. On March 4, 2025, the same group had attacked Bannu Cantonment during the holy month of Ramadan. That attack was also planned from Afghanistan, according to security sources.

The martyrdom of Lieutenant Colonel Shahzada Gulfraz and Sepoy Karamat Shah has sent waves of grief across the nation, while the swift elimination of five terrorists demonstrates the resolve of Pakistan’s security forces to defeat terrorism.