April 3, 2026
By Aitzaz Ibrahim
LAHORE
At least five civilians, including four members of the same family, were killed and 13 others injured, among them a police officer, in a suicide car bomb attack near Domel Police Station in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, late on the night of April 2, officials confirmed.
According to police , the attack was carried out using a vehicle laden with heavy explosives. The attacker attempted to ram the vehicle into the wall of the police station; however, police personnel opened fire in time, forcing the attacker to detonate the vehicle before reaching the main premises.
The explosion occurred at around 11pm and was so powerful that it was heard across distant areas, causing widespread panic among residents. The blast was followed by an exchange of gunfire in the area.
The impact of the explosion caused severe structural damage. The sentry post of the police station was completely destroyed, while a significant portion of the building was reduced to rubble. Nearby residential areas and markets were also heavily affected, with roofs collapsing and multiple houses sustaining damage. Reports indicate that around 20 homes were partially or completely destroyed, while several shops in Domel Bazaar were also impacted.
Among those killed were four members of a single family, including a husband, wife, and their young son and daughter. Another woman from the Waleegai Domel area was also among the deceased.
Rescue 1122 officials stated that emergency teams reached the site immediately after the explosion and continued operations throughout the night and into Friday. The injured were shifted to nearby hospitals, where some were reported to be in critical condition. Rescue workers also carried out efforts to retrieve individuals trapped under the debris.
District Emergency Officer Bakhtullah Wazir confirmed to the media that five people were killed and 13 injured were transported to hospitals, including one police officer. He added that search and rescue operations remained ongoing until the affected area was cleared.
Rescue operations faced difficulties due to continuous rainfall, which slowed down relief efforts. Security forces cordoned off the area after the incident and launched a clearance operation.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Bannu Region Sajjad Khan visited the hospital following the incident, inquired after the injured, and directed medical staff to provide the best possible treatment.
Speaking at the occasion, he said that terrorists would never succeed in their objectives and that Bannu Police would continue to confront all forms of terrorism. He termed the targeting of innocent civilians an act of cowardice and vowed that those responsible would be brought to justice.
The DIG later visited Domel Police Station and the affected residential areas, met with the families of the deceased, offered condolences, and assured them of full support from the police.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the attack and expressed grief over the loss of lives, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office. He reiterated the government’s resolve to eliminate terrorism from the country.
Bannu district has witnessed repeated incidents of violence in recent months, with both civilians and security personnel coming under attack amid a broader surge in militant activity. These incidents have included attacks on police and jirga members, prompting targeted operations by law enforcement agencies in the region.
According to the Annual Security Report 2025 by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), KP recorded a significant rise in violence, with fatalities increasing from 1,620 in 2024 to 2,331 in 2025.