11 soldiers, 1 child killed in Pakistan after explosive-laden vehicle rams security post

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 1 min read 100% complete by Associated PressFebruary 17, 2026 at 01:44 PM

AI Summary

short article 1 min

In Bajaur, Pakistan, a suicide bomber drove an explosive-laden vehicle into a security post on Monday night, killing 11 soldiers and a child. The attack occurred in a former Pakistani Taliban stronghold in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, near the Afghan border. According to the military, troops signaled the vehicle to stop, after which the bomber detonated the explosives, causing part of the compound to collapse and damaging nearby civilian homes. Following the bombing, a group of militants attempted to enter the security post, leading to a shootout in which security forces killed 12 militants. The attack follows ongoing tensions in the region since security forces launched an operation against militants in August.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Reuters 30% Zafar Khan 40% Pakistan Red Crescent 40% Targeted Operation (Bajaur) 50% Afghan 50% Security Forces (Pakistan) ×260% Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 70% Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) 80% Pakistani Taliban ×290% Bajaur ×490% Pakistan ×3100%

Keywords

suicide bombing 80% pakistani taliban 70% security checkpoint 60% militant attack 60% tehrik-e-taliban pakistan 50% bajaur 50% militant group 40% security forces 40% suicide bomber 40% civilian casualties 40%