A Bannu drone attack on a Frontier Corps (FC) checkpost has left one soldier martyred and three others injured. The strike took place in the Takhti Khel Bakakhel area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district, police confirmed on Friday.
According to District Police Officer (DPO) Bannu Saleem Abbas Kulachi, a quadcopter drone released explosives directly onto the FC position in Bakakhel. The explosion killed one soldier on the spot and wounded three others. The injured were quickly moved to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Following the Bannu drone attack, FC troops and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police launched a joint search operation to locate the terrorists behind the assault. Security forces also imposed an indefinite curfew in the Havid area of Bannu to facilitate a large-scale anti-terror operation.
DPO Kulachi said the operation began after intelligence confirmed the presence of heavily armed militants in the area. He urged residents to stay indoors from 5am until further notice. He also issued a stern warning that anyone found aiding or sheltering terrorists would face severe legal consequences.
Incidents like the Bannu drone attack have been increasing in the southern parts of the province. Militants are now frequently using drones to target security personnel and public spaces. Before adopting drone technology, they relied on advanced thermal imaging rifles to attack police and FC personnel under the cover of darkness. Security officials believe these weapons were brought from Afghanistan after the withdrawal of NATO forces.
Last month, in an effort to counter such threats, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police acquired a modern anti-drone system. This system can detect and neutralise hostile drones from long distances. Authorities have deployed it to protect important government buildings, public officials, and large gatherings.
The Bannu drone attack has once again highlighted the urgent need for advanced counter-terrorism technology in the region. Security forces remain on high alert as operations continue.
