At least 13 Pakistani soldiers were killed and over two dozen injured, including civilians, in a deadly suicide bombing in the country’s restive northwestern region near the Afghan border, local sources confirmed on Saturday.
The attack took place in the Khadi Market area of Mir Ali, North Waziristan — a region known for frequent militant activities.
Security sources reported that the suicide bomber targeted a convoy of the 22 Frontier Force Regiment, detonating explosives near a bomb disposal unit vehicle.
According to initial counts, 24 others, including at least 14 civilians, sustained injuries in the blast. The injured were rushed to nearby military and civilian hospitals.
The incident marks one of the deadliest single-day attacks on Pakistani forces in recent months, underscoring the volatile security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Although the Pakistan Army has not yet issued an official statement, a local militant group led by Hafiz Gulbahadur has reportedly claimed responsibility.
Following a recent surge in violence in Waziristan, Khyber, and Kurram districts, the Pakistan military has intensified intelligence-based operations throughout the region. Islamabad continues to accuse the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) of orchestrating attacks from across the border in Afghanistan—a claim strongly denied by Kabul.
Security across North Waziristan has since been tightened, with military checkpoints reinforced in anticipation of further attacks.
