On July 17, five suspected suicide bombers were arrested during an infiltration attempt at the Pak-Afghan border. According to security sources, the individuals tried to cross into Pakistan near the Azizkhel and Mandikhel areas in Khyber district.
The group, believed to be affiliated with the banned militant outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), was first detected at around 5:00 pm. By 6:25 pm, the suspects had crossed the border and moved toward the village of Besi Khel.
Faced with heavy security deployment, the militants took refuge inside a mosque. Security forces swiftly cordoned off the area. After a short standoff, the suspects surrendered without any exchange of gunfire.
All five arrested are Afghan nationals, and three of them carried Afghan identity cards. The detainees are between 15 and 18 years old. They have been taken to an undisclosed location for interrogation.
The arrest of these Pak‑Afghan border suicide bombers comes amid a rise in militant activity in Pakistan, especially in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The resurgence began following the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021.
In May this year, Pakistan recorded a slight increase in militant attacks. Data from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) showed 85 attacks, up from 81 in April. These incidents resulted in 113 deaths and 182 injuries.
While the number of overall attacks remained steady, security forces and civilians suffered significant losses. Civilian injuries rose by 145%, and deaths among security personnel surged by 73%.
Security operations led to the killing of at least 59 militants during the same month. Most of the violence remained concentrated in KP and Balochistan, which saw 82 out of the 85 reported attacks.
Authorities believe this latest infiltration attempt may be part of a broader strategy by militant groups operating along the porous Pak-Afghan border.
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