Militants from the banned TTP rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a checkpost in northwest Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, killing 11 security personnel and a child, the military said on Tuesday (February 17, 2026).

TTP claimed responsibility for the deadly suicide attack on the FC check post in the Bajaur district bordering Afghanistan.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), “On February 16, a cowardly terrorist attack was attempted on security forces and law enforcement agencies’ joint check post in Bajaur District by Khwarij belonging to Fitna al Khwarij”.

Fitna-al-Khawarij is a term that the state uses for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The statement by ISPR added that 12 terrorists were eliminated after security forces retaliated and “engaged the fleeing khwarij with precision”.

“In their desperation, the attackers rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the perimeter wall. Due to the impact of the blast, infrastructure collapsed killing eleven…” ISPR elaborated that the blast affected residential buildings in the area as well, “leading to the killing of one innocent young girl”.

Another seven people were injured, including women and children, the ISPR said.

“Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other sponsored kharji found in the area as a relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision “Azm e Istehkam” (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” the statement added.

“The sacrifices of our brave soldiers and innocent civilians further reinforce our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our nation at all costs,” the statement concluded.

The development comes days after an additional station house officer was killed as terrorists attacked a police station in the War Mamund tehsil of Bajaur district.

In December 2025, a major-ranked officer was killed during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the district. KP has seen a rise in terrorist attacks in the past year.

According to the Annual Security Report 2025 from the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), KP recorded a significant surge in violence last year as “fatalities rose from 1,620 in 2024 to 2,331 in 2025”.

This marked an “absolute increase of 711 deaths, accounting for over 82% of the net national rise and marking almost a 44% year-on-year surge in violence in the province”.

Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sohail Afridi, has taken notice of a suicide attack on an FC check post in the Malangi area of Mamond, Bajaur, and strongly condemned the incident.

In a statement, the Chief Minister said that the killing of security personnel in the terrorist attack, along with the tragic death of a child, is deeply saddening.

He directed rescue agencies to carry out immediate and comprehensive relief operations following the blast.

He added that the rescue efforts are being intensified to pull out those trapped under the debris.

The provincial government, he said, stands shoulder to shoulder with the families of those killed in their hour of grief.

The Chief Minister emphasised that such cowardly acts of terrorism cannot dampen the nation’s resolve. He stressed that a comprehensive and result-oriented strategy is indispensable for the complete eradication of terrorism.

He further stated that terrorism is a collective challenge for the entire country and assured that operations against elements inimical to peace will be further intensified across the province.

At least 11 military personnel, including a Lt. Col. and a Major, were killed in clashes with the Taliban militants during an intelligence-based operation in Pakistan’s restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, bordering Afghanistan, the army said on Wednesday (October 8, 2025).

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) — the media wing of the military — said that 19 terrorists of the ‘Fitna al-Khawarij’ were also killed during the operation in Orakzai district on Tuesday (October 7, 2025) night.

The Pakistan government last year notified the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as “Fitna al-Khawarij”, a reference to a group in earlier Islamic history which was involved in violence.

The intelligence-based operation was conducted by the security forces on the reported presence of terrorists belonging to “Fitna al-Khawarij” on the intervening night of October 7-8, the ISPR statement said.

During the “intense” exchange of fire between security forces and the militants, 19 terrorists “were sent to hell”, the statement said.

It said that 39-year-old Lt Col Junaid Tariq, who was leading his troops from the front, and his second-in-command, 33-year-old Major Tayyab Rahat, were killed along with nine of their men.

A sanitisation operation is being conducted to eliminate any other terrorists in the area, the statement added.

In a statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the killing of the soldiers, saying the sacrifices of the fearless sons of the security forces will never go in vain.

Mr. Sharif said Pakistan will crush the nefarious intentions of terrorists. “We will not allow elements that harm Pakistan’s integrity to succeed,” he added.

He said the government was determined to eradicate the menace of terrorism from the country.

President Asif Ali Zardari paid tributes to the “courageous action of security forces in the Orakzai district”.

Mr. Zardari expressed heartfelt sympathy with the families of the soldiers, praying that they bear their loss with patience and courage, a statement issued by the presidency said.

“The entire nation stands as a lead wall with its armed forces,” the statement quoted him as saying.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur expressed heartfelt condolences and sympathy with the families of the deceased soldiers.

“The security forces have written an immortal chapter of bravery and sacrifice in the fight for peace,” he added. “The sacrifices of our soldiers will not go in vain.” “These sacrifices further strengthen the nation’s resolve to eradicate terrorism,” Mr. Gandapur affirmed.

Pakistan has seen a surge in militant attacks, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, after the banned TTP called off its ceasefire with the government in November 2022 and vowed to target security forces, police, and law enforcement agencies.

According to the latest statistics issued by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was the worst-hit region in the country in the third quarter of 2025. It suffered nearly 71% (638) of the total violence-linked fatalities, and over 67% (221) of the incidents of violence.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan — both of which share a porous border with neighbouring Afghanistan — faced the brunt of the terrorism incidents, accounting for more than 96% of the total violence across the country.