The Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan claimed credit for today’s suicide assault that targeted a police station in the district of Bannu in Pakistan’s northwest. Ihsanullah Ihsan, the Pakistani Taliban spokesman, said the attack was executed to avenge the death of Ibrahim Mehsud, the nephew of Baitullah Mehsud, the former emir of the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan. Ibrahim was gunned down in Bannu while attacking police in early November [see Threat Matrix report, Nephew of Baitullah Mehsud killed in Bannu shootout].

The excerpt below on today’s attack in Bannu is from Dawn:

DPO Bannu, Nisar Tanoli confirmed that three police officials were killed whereas two civilians and an off-duty serving army-man who were offering Fajr prayers in the mosque inside the compound were also killed in the attack. He further added that six people were injured in the attack. Militants attacked Kaki police station, 15 kilometres south of Bannu, injuring two policemen including the Station House Officer (SHO) in an exchange of fire during the early hours of Monday. According to Dawn.com sources, Army arrived at the site of attack and surrounded the area whereas local villagers also supported the security personnel during the clash. Hospital sources confirmed receiving six bodies and several injured, including the SHO of Kaki police station. While talking to Dawn.com’s correspondent, security sources said that two militants blew themselves up inside the police station whereas three local civilians aiding the security forces were killed during the clash. The militants were holed up in a mosque inside the police station compound, enabling the attackers to resist the security forces and to prolong the gun-battle for three hours.

Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal.

Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here.