The terrorists reportedly launched the attack by ramming an explosives-laden vehicle into the police post, triggering a massive blast that completely destroyed the facility.

According to Bannu Regional Police Officer Sajjad Khan, 18 police personnel were present at the post when the attack took place. Of them, 15 were killed while three others sustained injuries, reported Dawn News.

Police said that after the explosion, heavily armed terrorists opened fire and attacked the post from multiple directions, escalating the assault.

The intensity of the blast left local residents terrified, with multiple explosions heard across the area.

Sources told Dawn News that communication with the Fateh Khel police post was briefly lost immediately after the attack.

The explosion was so powerful that several nearby buildings were also damaged.

Following the assault, Bannu police launched a large-scale operation under the leadership of RPO Sajjad Khan. Security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to track down those responsible.

Security across the city has since been heightened, with multiple checkpoints set up in and around Bannu.

“The rescue operation has been completed. Fifteen bodies and three injured personnel were recovered from the debris,” Rescue 1122 told Dawn News.

Condemning the attack, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi wrote on X, as quoted by Dawn News: “These courageous sons of the soil sacrificed their lives while protecting the people of Pakistan and defending peace. Their bravery, commitment and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”

According to reports, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif telephoned Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and strongly condemned the terrorist attack.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, also condemned the incident. In a post on X, he wrote: “On behalf of the Government and the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran, I strongly condemn the hideous terrorist attack on the Fateh Khel police post in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district, which led to the martyrdom of 15 police personnel and left several others injured.”