29 killed in Bannu clash as TTP announces Eid ceasefire amid escalating violence in Pakistan

At least 29 people were killed during intense clashes between Pakistani security forces and armed militants in the Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to police officials.

Authorities said the fighting broke out in the Barakzai Akhundkhel area of Miryan, where militants had reportedly established road blockades before the start of a security clearance operation. During the exchange of fire, 25 militants, two police officers, and two civilians were killed. At least 10 others were injured, including seven police personnel.

Security officials also claimed that two senior militant commanders, identified as Zamri Noor and Abdullah, were among those killed in the operation. Local sources reported that sporadic gunfire continued in parts of the area for some time, with armed militants still believed to be present, keeping tensions high.

The latest violence adds to a broader surge in militant activity across Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, where security forces have increasingly engaged in frequent confrontations with armed groups. In recent months, attacks targeting police, military personnel, and public infrastructure have risen sharply, raising concerns over deteriorating security conditions.

In a separate incident the same day, a powerful explosion struck a railway line near Quetta in Balochistan, killing at least 10 people and injuring around 50 others, according to Pakistani authorities. The blast caused several train carriages to derail and further underscored growing vulnerabilities in the country’s transport infrastructure.

Officials in Islamabad have repeatedly blamed militant groups, including the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), for operating from cross-border safe havens, a claim that has contributed to rising diplomatic tensions with Afghanistan. The Afghan Taliban government has denied these allegations.

Meanwhile, TTP leader Noor Wali Mehsud announced a three-day ceasefire coinciding with Eid al-Adha, covering the 10th, 11th, and 12th days of Dhul-Hijjah. He warned, however, that any military action by Pakistani forces during this period would be met with a response.

The announcement comes amid a sharp escalation in violence across northwestern Pakistan, with reports of continued clashes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and a recent increase in coordinated attacks in Balochistan. Analysts say the worsening security situation is placing mounting pressure on Pakistan’s internal stability, counterterrorism efforts, and regional relations.