Eleven soldiers and one child were killed in a bomb attack on a security post in Bajaur, Pakistan. Seven civilians, including women and children, were also injured. The vehicle, loaded with explosives, rammed the checkpoint late Monday night, damaging part of the compound and nearby homes. The military said attackers tried to breach the checkpoint but were stopped by security forces. Troops then chased and killed 12 militants they called khawarij, a term used for the Pakistani Taliban or Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Local police official Zafar Khan said after the suicide blast, militants tried to sneak into the post, leading to a fierce shootout where 12 attackers were killed. A search is ongoing in the area. The attack took place in Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province near the Afghan border. The region has seen tension since last August when security forces launched an operation against militants. Many residents were displaced but later returned home. Intelligence-based operations have continued since then. No group has claimed the attack, but suspicion is on the TTP. This group often targets security forces and civilians in Pakistan. The TTP is closely linked to Afghanistan’s Taliban, who returned to power in 2021. The violence surge in Pakistan over recent years is mostly blamed on the TTP, raising concerns about ongoing security challenges. Meanwhile, at Rawalpindi headquarters, Gen. Munir welcomed the launch of Pakistan’s new joint military command with a guard of honour, marking a key move in the country’s defense setup.