ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani military said on Monday a suicide bombing killed at least two passersby and a soldier in the country’s northwest, a day after militant detainees overpowered their guards at a counter-terrorism center in the region and seized control of the facility.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing but the Pakistani Taliban have previously carried out similar attacks in the region and elsewhere in the country.
“On 19 December 2022, a suicide blast occurred in general area Miran Shah, North Waziristan District,” the army said in a statement. “Naik Abid (age 33 years, resident of Mansehra) and 2 civilians embraced shahadat while one civilian was injured.”
The Pakistani Taliban have stepped up attacks on security forces since last month, when they ended a monthslong ceasefire with the Pakistani government.
On Sunday, several Pakistani Taliban detainees overpowered their guards at a counter-terrorism center in Bannu city, snatching police weapons, taking hostages and seizing control of the facility. The facility is located inside an army cantonment.
Pakistani officials told AP one counter-terrorism officer was killed during the takeover at the detention center.
