Lt. Col. Shahzada Gul Faraz Among Two Martyrs in Bannu Attack

On Saturday, February 21, 2026, a high-ranking officer and a soldier were martyred during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The incident, involving a vehicle-borne suicide attack, occurred just hours before Pakistan launched retaliatory airstrikes on terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan.

Details of the Martyrs

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed the identities of the fallen soldiers:

• Lt. Colonel Shahzada Gul Faraz: The commanding officer leading the operation.
• Sepoy Karamat Shah: A soldier serving in the security convoy.

Both President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued statements praising the bravery of the officers, noting that their interception of the suicide bomber averted a “major catastrophe” in the densely populated areas of Bannu city.

The Operation in Bannu

• The Interception: Acting on reports of militant presence, security forces intercepted a vehicle-borne suicide bomber. While the bomber was prevented from reaching his primary target, he rammed his explosives-laden vehicle/motorcycle into a security vehicle.
• Militant Casualties: During the ensuing intense exchange of fire, five terrorists (referred to as Khawarij) were killed by security forces.
• The Threat: The military identified the attackers as members of Fitna al-Khawarij (TTP).

The Broader Retaliation

The sacrifice of Lt. Col. Faraz and Sepoy Shah served as the immediate catalyst for the Sunday morning (Feb 22) airstrikes.

• ISPR Statement: Following the Bannu attack, the military declared it would no longer “exercise any restraint” and would pursue perpetrators “irrespective of their location.”
• Retributive Action: By dawn on Sunday, the Pakistan Air Force had struck seven camps in Afghanistan, killing an estimated 80+ terrorists linked to the groups responsible for the Bannu and Bajaur attacks.

Summary of Recent Security Losses

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