Security forces in Pakistan successfully foiled a suicide bombing attempt at a checkpoint near Jandola Fort in Upper Jandola, South Waziristan, on Thursday, killing six militants in a fierce counteroffensive. The attack, which unfolded in the early hours, saw a suicide bomber detonate explosives at the southern gate of the checkpoint, triggering a heavy exchange of gunfire that neutralized the assailants, Express News reported.
According to security sources, the militants launched their assault with a suicide blast, followed by an armed offensive targeting the Jandola Fort checkpoint in Tank district, adjacent to South Waziristan. The bomber’s detonation injured two security personnel, but the forces responded swiftly, engaging the attackers outside the gate and preventing any breach. “Several militants were neutralized before they could advance further,” a security official confirmed, adding that six attackers were killed in the operation.
The tense situation persisted into the morning, with intermittent gunfire echoing through the area as security forces continued their sweep. Fighter helicopters patrolled overhead, bolstering efforts to secure the region, while the identification process for the slain militants remained underway. “The operation is ongoing, and the area is under close surveillance,” sources said, noting the professionalism displayed by the troops in averting a larger catastrophe.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi hailed the security forces for their bravery and skill in thwarting the attack. In a statement issued from Islamabad, he praised the troops for eliminating what he described as “10 foreign militants,” though official sources on the ground confirmed six deaths thus far. “The nation takes pride in the expertise and courage of our security forces, who demonstrated exceptional capability in foiling this assault,” Naqvi said. He underscored their role in safeguarding Pakistan’s stability amid rising militant threats.
The attack comes against a backdrop of heightened security concerns in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with South Waziristan—a former stronghold of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)—facing sporadic violence. While no group has yet claimed responsibility, the TTP has been linked to similar assaults in the region, including a deadly checkpoint attack in Makeen last December that martyred 16 soldiers. Thursday’s incident follows a pattern of suicide bombings and coordinated strikes targeting security installations, underscoring the persistent challenge of militancy in Pakistan’s northwest.
As the operation continues, local residents reported a heavy military presence, with roads leading to Jandola Fort cordoned off. The injured security personnel were evacuated to a nearby medical facility, and their condition is said to be stable. With helicopters circling and forces on high alert, authorities are working to ensure no further threats emerge from the volatile border region.
This successful defense of the Jandola checkpoint highlights the vigilance of Pakistan’s security forces, even as the nation braces for potential retaliatory actions from militant factions. Updates will follow as the situation develops.
