Security forces arrested five suspected suicide bombers at the Pak-Afghan border on the evening of July 17. According to security sources, the group was attempting to infiltrate Pakistan from Afghanistan.
The suspected terrorists reportedly belonged to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as Fitna Al Khawarij, a militant group believed to have Indian backing. Their movement was detected around 5:00 PM. At approximately 6:25 PM, the group crossed the border and headed toward Azizkhel and Mandikhel.
Facing a heavy security presence, the terrorists sought refuge in a mosque in the village of Besi Khel. Security forces quickly cordoned off the area and surrounded the mosque. After a short standoff, the suspects surrendered without any exchange of fire.
All five arrested individuals are Afghan nationals. Security sources said that three of them were carrying Afghan identity cards. The suspects are believed to be between 15 and 18 years old. They were taken to an undisclosed location for further investigation.
The arrest took place amid a rise in militant activity across Pakistan, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. This surge began after the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021.
In May 2025, Pakistan recorded a slight increase in militant attacks. According to data from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), there were 85 incidents reported in May, compared to 81 in April. These attacks resulted in 113 deaths, including 52 security personnel, 46 civilians, and 11 militants.
Civilian injuries also saw a significant rise, with 130 civilians injured in May—an increase of 145% from the previous month. However, injuries among security personnel decreased by 20%.
Security operations also intensified. In May, forces killed at least 59 militants, while five security personnel died during operations. Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained the most affected regions, accounting for 82 of the 85 recorded attacks.
The arrest of the five suspected suicide bombers highlights the ongoing security challenges at Pakistan’s western borders and the vigilance of the country’s security forces in preventing large-scale attacks.
In another crackdown on white-collar crime, a former FESCO chief has been arrested over alleged online fraud. Read more about the arrest and charges here.
