The seeds of terrorism once sown and nurtured in Pakistan have now turned inward, manifesting in deadly consequences for the very state that allowed them to grow. A horrifying suicide bombing rocked Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on the morning of June 28, particularly in the North Waziristan district. The attack took place in Mir Ali's Khadi Market area and claimed the lives of more than 13 Pakistani soldiers. Over two dozen others were reported injured, including more than a dozen women and children—many in critical condition.
According to reports, the suicide attack was carried out using an explosive-laden car, which rammed into a Pakistani military MRP vehicle between 7:00 and 8:00 AM. The military vehicle belonged to a bomb disposal unit that was operating in a civilian zone for anti-explosive duties. The scale and precision of the attack point to a well-coordinated operation.
A faction of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), known as Qassam ul-Harb, has claimed responsibility for the bombing. This brutal incident once again highlights the intensifying wave of terrorist activities within Pakistan, with militant groups no longer sparing even the military forces that once supported them.
A local official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that a suicide bomber had driven an explosive-filled vehicle into the military convoy. As a result, 13 soldiers were killed, while 10 other servicemen and 19 civilians were injured. The blast also caused severe damage to nearby houses. A police officer stationed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa told AFP that the explosion caused the collapse of two houses, injuring six children in the process.
This incident is part of a disturbing trend of increasing terrorist attacks in Pakistan, especially in regions like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Despite the Pakistani government’s repeated claims of conducting successful counter-terrorism operations on its soil, the ground reality paints a very different picture.
Just recently, a Pakistani Major, who once claimed to have captured Indian pilot Abhinandan during the 2019 Balakot tensions, was killed in a similar encounter with militants. While the Pakistani Army declared that it had eliminated 10 suspected terrorists linked to the TTP in that operation, the death of such a high-ranking officer raises serious concerns about the safety and control the military truly possesses.
Moreover, this suicide attack follows a series of other violent incidents in Pakistan. Among the most notable was the hijacking and attack on the Jaffer Express train, which resulted in the deaths of 21 passengers and four paramilitary personnel.
According to the Global Terrorism Index 2025, there has been a staggering 45% increase in terrorism-related deaths in Pakistan. The number rose from 748 deaths in 2023 to 1,081 in 2024. This grim statistic has pushed Pakistan to the second spot globally in terms of fatalities caused by terrorism.
Much of this can be attributed to the Pakistani military's harsh treatment of local populations, especially in Balochistan, where alleged oppression, exploitation, and human rights abuses have become routine. The mounting resentment has fueled the rise of local militant groups, who now regularly target Pakistan’s security forces as a form of retaliation and resistance.
In conclusion, the recent suicide bombing in North Waziristan is not just another tragic incident; it is a chilling reminder of the consequences of long-standing state policies that once fostered extremist ideologies for strategic gain. The very forces once cultivated to serve foreign policy goals have turned their guns on their creators, making Pakistan a tragic case study in the boomerang effect of state-sponsored terrorism.
Disclaimer:This article is based on publicly available reports and news sources. The purpose of this content is to inform and analyze current geopolitical developments. It does not promote violence or political bias against any nation or community
