Militants from the outlawed TTP rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a checkpoint in northwestern Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, killing 11 security personnel and a child, the military said on Tuesday (Feb. 17, 2026).
The TTP claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on an FC check post in Bajaur district on the border with Afghanistan.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), “on February 16, a cowardly terrorist attack was attempted on a joint check post of security forces and law enforcement agencies in Bajaur district by Khwarij of Fitna Al Khwarij”.
Fitna-al-Khawariz is the term used by the state for the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
An ISPR statement said security forces retaliated and “accurately engaged the fleeing Khwariz” killing 12 terrorists.
“In their desperation, the attackers rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the perimeter wall. Due to the impact of the blast, infrastructure collapsed and eleven people died…” ISPR explained that it also affected residential buildings in the area, “leading to the killing of an innocent young woman”.
ISPR said seven others, including women and children, were injured.
Sanitization operations are being carried out by security forces and law enforcement agencies under “Ajm e Istehkam” (approved by the Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) as a relentless anti-terrorist campaign in the region to eliminate any other sponsored charge found in the region. added
“The sacrifices of our brave soldiers and innocent civilians reinforce our unwavering commitment to protect our nation at any cost,” the statement concluded.
The development comes days after an additional station house officer was killed when militants attacked a police station in War Mamund tehsil of Bajaur district.
In December 2025, a major-rank officer was killed during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the district. KP has seen an increase in terrorist attacks in the past year.
According to the 2025 annual security report from the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), KP recorded a significant increase in violence last year as “deaths increased from 1,620 in 2024 to 2,331 in 2025”.
It noted an “absolute increase of 711 deaths, which is over 82% of the net national increase and represents an almost 44% year-on-year increase in violence in the province”.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi took notice of the suicide attack on FC check post in Malangi area of Mamand, Bajaur and strongly condemned the incident.
In a statement, the Chief Minister said that the death of the security personnel and the death of the child is very sad.
He directed the rescue agencies to carry out comprehensive rescue operations immediately after the explosion.
He said that rescue operations are being intensified to pull out those trapped under the debris.
He said that the provincial government stands shoulder to shoulder with the bereaved families.
The Chief Minister emphasized that such cowardly acts of terrorism cannot harm the stability of the country. He emphasized that a comprehensive, results-based strategy is indispensable for the complete eradication of terrorism.
Terrorism is a collective challenge for the entire country and promised to intensify operations across the province against elements that disrupt peace.
Published – February 17, 2026 03:58 pm IST