PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — On Friday, a suicide car bomber affiliated with the Pakistani Taliban launched a violent attack on a significant security forces compound in Mir Ali, a city located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, near the Afghan border. The bombing triggered an intense shootout that resulted in the deaths of three militants, according to local police official Irfan Ali. The explosion had a substantial impact, damaging nearby homes in the area.
At this time, it remains unclear whether there were any casualties among the security forces, with no immediate commentary available from the military regarding the incident. This attack occurred just days after Pakistan and Afghanistan reached a ceasefire agreement following a period of cross-border violence that resulted in significant casualties on both sides, including dozens killed and hundreds wounded. The ceasefire, which began on Wednesday and was slated to expire on Friday evening, was facilitated by intervention from "friendly countries" aiming to promote extended peace talks.
Local media have reported that Qatar has offered to host potential peace negotiations between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Doha; however, no official confirmation has been provided by either government regarding this proposal. The recent spike in militant attacks in Pakistan, primarily attributed to the Pakistani Taliban (Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan), has strained relations between Islamabad and Kabul, particularly as Pakistan contends that the group is receiving shelter within Afghanistan’s borders.
This week, Pakistani military operations against militants in the northwest region have reportedly resulted in the deaths of 88 militants, according to security officials and police. The uptick in hostilities marks one of the deadliest periods of conflict since 2021 when the Taliban took control of Afghanistan following the collapse of the U.S.-backed government, coinciding with the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces after two decades of combat.
Heightened tensions have persisted along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, particularly following accusations from Kabul that Islamabad conducted an airstrike in the Afghan capital. The Pakistani government and military have refrained from acknowledging such a strike; however, Pakistani security officials specified that it aimed to target Noor Wali, the head of the TTP.
On Thursday, the Pakistani Taliban released a video declaring that Noor Wali is alive and currently hiding in the northwestern region of Pakistan. The situation remains complex, with ongoing cross-border tensions and militant activities complicating potential pathways to peace in the region.
