As many as 13 Pakistan Army personnel were martyred after an explosive-laden vehicle rammed into a security forces vehicle in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's (KP) North Waziristan District, the military's media wing said on Saturday.
The military's media wing, in a statement, said that a vehicle-borne suicide bomber attempted to explode himself on a security forces convoy, which was intercepted by the leading group, foiling his nefarious design.
However, in their desperation, the ISPR said the explosive-laden vehicle was rammed by the "Indian-sponsored kharjis" into one of the vehicles of the leading group.
"13 brave sons of soil, embraced shahadat (martyrdom) [and] in this tragic and barbaric incident, three innocent civilians including two children and a woman also severely injured," read the statement.
Army personnel martyred in the attack were identified as Subedar Zahid Iqbal,45, Havildar Sohrab Khan, 39, Havildar Mian Yousaf, 41, Naik Khitab Shah, 34, Lance Naik Ismail, 32, Sepoy Rohail, 30, Sepoy Muhammad Ramzan, 33, Sepoy Nawab, 30, Sepoy Zubair Ahmed, 24, Sepoy Muhammad Sahki, 31, Sepoy Hashim Abbasi, 20, Sepoy Muddasir Ejaz, 25, Sepoy Manzar Ali, 23.
Following the attack, security forces launched a sanitisation operation in the affected area, according to an official statement.
During the ensuing exchange of fire, 14 militants were killed, the ISPR statement stated.
"The operations in the area would continue and perpetrators of this heinous and cowardly act will be brought to justice," the ISPR stated.
"The security forces of Pakistan in step with the nation remain steadfast in their resolve to eradicate Indian-sponsored terrorism from the country and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers and innocent civilians further reinforce our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our nation at all costs," the press release concluded.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir has vowed that all facilitators, abettors, and perpetrators of terrorism will be relentlessly pursued and brought to justice without exception and at all costs.
The field marshal visited the Corps Headquarters in Peshawar today, where he was briefed in detail on the prevailing security situation and ongoing counter-terrorism operations. During the visit, the army chief also attended funeral of Shuhada of the incident at Bannu Garrison and visited the injured at Bannu CMH, read a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The COAS paid rich tribute to the unwavering courage and resilience of Pakistan’s security forces, who continue to confront and neutralise the Indian-sponsored "Fitna al-Khawarij" with exemplary valour.
He reaffirmed that the people of Pakistan stand united in their resolve to eradicate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, until the threat is decisively eliminated from the country.
Reiterating the state's uncompromising stance, the field marshal said that the face of true perpetrator of terrorism in the region will be exposed to the entire world.
The COAS assured the nation that the blood of every innocent Pakistani shall always be avenged, and any attempt to undermine Pakistan’s internal stability will be met with swift and decisive retribution.
Earlier upon arrival at the Corps Headquarters, the COAS was received by the corps commander Peshawar.
Pakistan has witnessed a surge in terror incidents since Taliban rulers returned to Afghanistan in 2021, particularly in the bordering provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
The country saw a slight uptick in militant attacks in May 2025, even as heightened military tensions with neighbouring India failed to trigger a significant escalation in violence from extremist groups.
Data released by the Islamabad-based Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) indicates a 5% increase in attacks compared to April, though the overall picture suggests militant groups largely remained contained despite the regional geopolitical climate.