PESHAWAR: An under-construction house in Bannu Cantonment’s Defence Colony area was damaged on Friday after it was struck by a rocket fired from an unknown direction, officials said. The incident marks the second rocket attack on the cantonment area in recent weeks, raising security concerns in the district.
According to initial reports, the projectile landed inside the partially built house, creating a crater several feet deep and causing the ceiling structure to collapse. Fortunately, no casualties were reported as the house was unoccupied at the time of the attack.
Residents of the area reported hearing a loud explosion, which triggered panic in nearby localities. Law enforcement and security personnel quickly cordoned off the site, while bomb disposal and investigation teams were dispatched to collect evidence from the scene.
This was not the first such incident in the area. On the night of December 31, 2025, Bannu Cantonment was also targeted in a similar rocket attack when a projectile landed in vacant houses located near the Combined Military Hospital (CMH). That attack also did not result in any loss of life, though it caused damage to property.
According to security sources, preliminary assessments suggest that the same type of rocket may have been used in both incidents. Militants have reportedly referred to this rocket as “Al-Farooq 2,” and images of the projectile were circulated on social media following the December 31 attack. Authorities, however, have not officially confirmed the origin or technical specifications of the weapon.
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Security agencies have launched a comprehensive investigation into Friday’s attack to determine the motive and identify those responsible. Officials said forensic evidence collected from the site would be analysed as part of the probe, while intelligence agencies were also examining possible links between the two rocket incidents.
In a separate development on the same day, militants launched an attack on the Fateh Khel police check post in Bannu. According to police spokesman Asif Hassan, the assailants opened fire on the check post, prompting an intense exchange of fire that lasted for some time.
Security agencies have launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident.https://t.co/VxAEGgIMdp
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) January 16, 2026
Police personnel successfully repulsed the attack, forcing the attackers to flee the area. No casualties were reported in the clash. A search operation was later launched in the surrounding areas to trace the fleeing suspects.
Security across Bannu district has been heightened following the incidents, with additional checkpoints established and patrols intensified. Authorities said they were taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of residents and prevent further attacks.
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