Bannu, Pakistan – Web Desk: Pakistan’s security sources have linked the recent suicide attack on a Pakistan Army vehicle in Bannu to the militant network of Hafiz Gul Bahadur, whose group is reportedly operating from bases in Afghanistan.
The attack was claimed by Ittihad-ul-Mujahideen, a sub-group affiliated with the Gul Bahadur faction, according to security officials. Sources said the group’s main leader Hafiz Gul Bahadur and several senior commanders are currently based in Afghanistan, where they allegedly plan and facilitate attacks inside Pakistan.
Officials noted that the same network was involved in a previous assault on Bannu Cantonment on March 4, 2025, during the month of Ramadan, which was also planned from Afghan territory. The group has claimed responsibility for multiple attacks in North and South Waziristan, including the September 2, 2025 assault on the Federal Constabulary in Bannu, during which Major Adnan was killed.
Security agencies said investigations confirmed that planning and logistical support for these attacks were coordinated from across the border. The continued presence of Gul Bahadur and other militant leaders in Afghanistan is cited as evidence that Afghan territory is being used for militant operations against Pakistan.
Officials further alleged that support from the Afghan Taliban administration has provided safe havens for militant groups, undermining regional peace efforts. Intelligence assessments also suggest that more than 70 percent of individuals involved in recent terrorism incidents in Pakistan have links to Afghan-origin networks or cross-border connections.
