Suicide Attack In Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Nine Security Personnel Among 16 Dead

Last Updated:February 17, 2026, 09:59 IST

According to local sources, a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into security forces stationed at the Malangi checkpoint.

At least 16 people, including nine security personnel, were killed in a suicide attack in Pakistan’s northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday. The vehicle-borne blast targeted a security checkpoint in the Malangi area of Mamond tehsil in Bajaur District, a region that has witnessed a surge in militant violence in recent months.

According to local sources, a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into security forces stationed at the Malangi checkpoint. The powerful explosion was followed by a coordinated assault by armed militants, suggesting a pre-planned and complex operation. Nine members of Pakistan’s security forces were killed on the spot, while several others sustained injuries. Civilians are also believed to be among the dead, taking the overall toll to at least 16.

Some reports claimed that the blast occurred near or at a madrassa building in Malangi, which was completely destroyed in the explosion. The force of the detonation caused significant structural damage in the surrounding area, shattering windows and spreading panic among residents. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos, with smoke billowing into the sky and gunfire heard after the initial explosion as militants allegedly attempted to storm the area.

Rescue operations were temporarily halted due to the follow-up assault, raising fears that the death toll could rise further. Security forces later cordoned off the site and launched a clearance operation to secure the area.

Bajaur, which borders Afghanistan, has long been considered a sensitive district due to cross-border militant movement. In recent years, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other armed groups have intensified attacks on security forces across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Similar suicide bombings and coordinated assaults have taken place in districts such as North Waziristan and Peshawar, targeting military convoys, police stations and public gatherings.

The latest attack underscores the persistent security challenges facing Pakistan’s northwest, as authorities grapple with a renewed wave of militancy in the region.

News world Suicide Attack In Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Nine Security Personnel Among 16 Dead

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