Deadly Terrorist Attack on Pakistani Military: 12 Soldiers Killed, TTP Claims Responsibility

At least 12 Pakistani soldiers were killed and four others injured in a deadly terrorist attack carried out by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) early Saturday morning in the country’s restive northwestern region. Local authorities and security officials have confirmed the incident.

According to reports, the ambush took place around 4 a.m. in South Waziristan district, when a military convoy was passing through the area. Armed militants launched a coordinated attack from both sides, opening heavy fire on the convoy.

A local government official stated, “There was intense gunfire from both directions, resulting in the deaths of 12 security personnel and injuries to four others.” The attackers reportedly looted military weapons and equipment before fleeing the scene. A senior security official also confirmed the number of casualties, calling it a well-planned and intense assault.

The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a banned terrorist group, has claimed responsibility for the attack. This incident is being described as one of the deadliest attacks in recent months in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. While the TTP had been driven out of the region after a large-scale military operation in 2014, the group has seen a resurgence in activity, particularly after the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan in 2021.

Though the Afghan Taliban and the TTP are separate organizations, they are believed to share deep ideological and strategic ties. Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Afghan government of failing to act against militant groups operating from its soil, who then carry out attacks inside Pakistan. The Taliban-led government in Kabul has consistently denied these allegations.

In recent weeks, several districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have seen graffiti and posters bearing the TTP’s name, which has sparked fear among local residents. Many citizens fear that the era of Taliban dominance in the region may be returning. A senior official remarked that TTP movements and attacks have significantly increased in recent months.

According to AFP records, since January 1, 2025, nearly 460 people have been killed in terrorist attacks across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, most of them members of security forces. Meanwhile, data from the Islamabad-based Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) shows that Pakistan experienced its deadliest year in over a decade in 2024, with over 1,600 fatalities—nearly half of them being soldiers and police personnel.