Bannu: Lieutenant Colonel Sahibzada Gul Faraz of the Pakistan Army was martyred today during an anti terrorism operation in Bannu. The attack on a military vehicle has been traced to Hafiz Gul Bahadur operating from Afghanistan with responsibility claimed by Etihad ul Mujahideen a subgroup of the Fitenah al Khawarij network.
Etihad ul Mujahideen is linked to Hafiz Gul Bahadur’s group, whose main leaders and commanders are reportedly sheltering in Afghanistan. The group has used Afghan soil to plan and execute multiple attacks in Pakistan, including the Bannu Cantt attack during Ramadan on March 4, 2025, and the FC Bannu attack on September 2, 2025, where Major Adnan was martyred.
Evidence suggests that over 70% of terrorist elements involved in incidents in Pakistan have Afghan origins or links. The repeated use of Afghan territory highlights the Taliban regime’s support for terrorist organizations providing safe havens that undermine regional security. North and South Waziristan attacks have also been claimed by this group, confirming cross border coordination. Pakistani authorities warn that Afghan-based networks continue to pose a serious threat to peace and stability in the region.
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