Suicide Bomber Attacks Pakistani Security Compound Near Afghan Border Amid Regional Tensions

Afghan Taliban fighters patrol near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border in Spin Boldak, Kandahar Province.

Peshawar, Pakistan:

On Friday, a suicide car bomber affiliated with the Pakistani Taliban launched an attack on a large security forces compound in Pakistan's northwest region near the Afghan border, resulting in a fierce firefight that ended with three militants dead, according to police reports.

The attack occurred in Mir Ali, located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, as confirmed by local police official Irfan Ali. The bombing's impact caused damage to nearby residential properties.

There was no immediate confirmation regarding military casualties, and the military has not yet issued an official statement.

This attack comes shortly after Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to a temporary ceasefire following days of cross-border violence that resulted in dozens of fatalities and hundreds of injuries on both sides. The ceasefire, which began on Wednesday and is scheduled to expire Friday evening, was negotiated with assistance from "friendly countries" who are encouraging both nations to extend the truce.

Media reports indicate that Qatar has proposed hosting peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Doha, although neither government has officially confirmed this offer.

Pakistan has experienced an increase in militant activities since January, primarily attributed to the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). These attacks have strained relations between Islamabad and Kabul, with Pakistan asserting that Afghanistan is providing sanctuary to the militant group.

This week, Pakistan's military conducted multiple operations against militants in the region, reportedly eliminating 88 militants according to regional security officials and police.

The recent clashes between the two countries represent the most severe confrontation since 2021, when the Taliban took control of Afghanistan following the collapse of the Western-supported government as U.S. and NATO forces withdrew after two decades of conflict.

Border tensions have remained high since last week when Kabul accused Islamabad of conducting a strike in the Afghan capital, an allegation that Pakistan's government and military have not addressed. Pakistani security officials, however, indicated that the strike targeted Noor Wali, the TTP leader.

On Thursday, the Pakistani Taliban released a video claiming that Wali remains alive and is hiding somewhere in northwestern Pakistan.