North Waziristan Suicide Attack: 16 Pakistan Troops Killed in Explosive-Laden Vehicle Blast, Civilians Among Injured
North Waziristan (June 28, 2025) – In a devastating blast that shook the tribal belt of Pakistan, a suicide bomber rammed an explosive-packed vehicle into a military convoy on Saturday, killing at least 16 soldiers and injuring dozens, including civilians and children, local officials reported to AFP and confirmed by the Pakistan military.
What Happened
The attack unfolded in the Khaddi/Khadi area of the North Waziristan district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. A suicide bomber drove a vehicle laden with high explosives into a column of military vehicles, tearing through the convoy with deadly effect.
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Fatalities: 16 Pakistani soldiers confirmed dead (initial counts reported 13).
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Injuries: Dozens more wounded—estimates range from 25 to 29—including at least 19 civilians and six children seriously harmed by the blast and collapsing roofs of nearby homes.
Target & Tactics
The intended target appeared to be a military vehicle transporting highly trained personnel, possibly a Bomb Disposal Unit’s MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle. Despite a security curfew, the attacker managed to breach checkpoints and crash into the convoy.
Initial reports indicate the explosion damaged nearby homes—roofs collapsed, leaving children among the wounded—highlighting the devastating spillover impact on civilians.
Who Claimed Responsibility
A militant faction associated with the Pakistani Taliban, namely the suicide-bomber wing of the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group (a TTP ally), has claimed responsibility.
The attack marks a resurgence of violence in North Waziristan, a region notorious for Taliban presence and militant cross-border infiltration from Afghanistan.
Regional Security Climate
Since the Taliban returned to power in Kabul (2021), Pakistan’s historically turbulent border areas have seen escalating militant activity. Analysts note:
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In April 2025, Pakistani forces reported killing 71 militants attempting border infiltration.
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Militant factions, including Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), have launched increasingly audacious operations against military and civilian targets.
Civilian Toll & Displacement
Local reports confirm multiple civilian injuries and structural destruction. Six children were among the injured when their homes suffered collapsing roofs in the blast’s wake.
Security forces launched a rescue and response operation, closing roads between Bannu–Miranshah and engaging in area sweeps amid curfew enforcement.
Official Reaction
Afghan authorities have not issued a response. Pakistan’s military and government remain under pressure to act decisively. Domestic criticism intensifies over the frequency of such border-strip violence and inadequate countermeasures .
Militant groups exploit governance weaknesses in the region, which has historically been a “laboratory” for cross-border operations.
The Road Ahead: Security and Diplomacy
This suicide attack sends a chilling reminder: the Afghan border remains porous, insurgent networks are resilient, and Pakistan’s national security remains vulnerable. The incident is expected to accelerate:
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Military escalations along the border and tougher anti-TTP strategies
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Reassessment of counter-insurgency operations and surveillance systems
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Diplomatic pressure on Afghanistan to curb militant safe havens
Pakistan’s next moves may include joint military-diplomatic strategies, renewed curfews, and cross-border intelligence collaboration.
Contextual Timeline
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May 2025: Drone strike in Hurmuz, North Waziristan kills four children—raising humanitarian concerns.
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April 2025: Pakistani forces neutralized 71 militants near Hassan Khel amid Afghan infiltration alarms.
Summary Table: Key Attack Details
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Casualties | 16 troops killed, ~29 injured (mix of soldiers, civilians, children) |
| Type | Suicide vehicle bomb targeting military convoy |
| Perpetrator | Taliban-linked Hafiz Gul Bahadur group |
| Location | Khaddi area, North Waziristan |
| Impact | Security breaches despite curfew; civilian home destruction |
What It Signals
This attack underscores the fragile peace in Pakistan’s tribal regions, where Taliban-aligned groups remain operational despite ongoing military attempts to pacify the zone. The targeting of elite military units signifies audacity and propaganda intent, while collateral civilian damage threatens regional stability and safety.
Pakistan’s strategic relationship with Afghanistan is under intense scrutiny. As diplomats explore new frontiers of counter-terror collaboration—or confrontation—the fate of border security hangs in the balance.
