Veziristan Terror Attack (2025)

The 2025 North Waziristan Terror Attack was a large-scale suicide attack carried out on June 28, 2025, in the North Waziristan region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in northwestern Pakistan, targeting the Pakistani military. The attack occurred near the Khadi Market area of the town of Mir Ali, as a military convoy passed through.

Map of Pakistan – (Anadolu Ajansı)

Course of the Attack

The attack took place on Saturday, June 28, 2025, in the town of Mir Ali, North Waziristan district. The location was near the Khadi Market area, close to the Afghan border. It was reported that the attack targeted a military convoy stationed in the region.

The attack was executed when a vehicle loaded with explosives, driven by a suicide bomber, collided with the military convoy. The explosion occurred at the point where the lead vehicle of the convoy was positioned. During the incident, the roofs of two nearby houses collapsed, resulting in injuries to six children. Due to the force of the blast, windows in many buildings in the town were shattered and a thick plume of smoke spread across a wide area.

The Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group claimed responsibility for the attack. This group is known as a smaller, independent faction operating within the framework of the Pakistani Taliban (Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan – TTP).

Casualties and Injuries

At least 13 Pakistani soldiers were killed in the attack. The number of injured was reported as 24. Among the injured were 14 civilians, including two children and one woman who sustained serious injuries.

Military Operations After the Attack

Immediately after the attack, the Pakistani military launched a comprehensive operation in the region. During these operations, a total of 14 militants were neutralized. According to the military, the operations were conducted specifically against those responsible for the attack.

Pakistan’s Accusations Against India

Following the attack, the Pakistani military directly accused India. In a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), it was claimed that the attack had been planned by India and carried out through a proxy organization named “Fitna al-Khwarij.” Pakistan accused India of sponsoring terrorist activities and emphasized its firm resolve to combat such threats to national security.

India’s Response

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs strongly rejected Pakistan’s accusations. India stated that it had dismissed the Pakistani military’s statements targeting it with “well-deserved contempt.” Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, in a social media post, characterized Pakistan’s claims as entirely baseless.

Official Reactions Within Pakistan

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a statement condemning the attack, describing it as “cowardly.” He also expressed support for the military operations launched in the region following the attack. President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to the fallen soldiers and stated that such attacks could not undermine national morale. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur released a message of condolence for the security personnel killed in the attack. Local police authorities also conducted on-site investigations and launched a wide-ranging inquiry.

Türkiye’s Statement

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye issued an official statement on June 28, 2025, regarding the attack. Türkiye expressed deep sorrow over the incident, extended condolences to the families of those killed, and wished a swift recovery to the injured. Türkiye emphasized its solidarity with Pakistan in its fight against terrorism.

Current Status in the Fight Against Terrorism

The Pakistani military has conducted numerous military operations in northwestern Pakistan against militant elements, particularly in recent years. In 2025, there has been a significant increase in violent incidents in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan regions. According to AFP sources, since the beginning of the year, approximately 290 people, mostly security personnel, have been killed in attacks carried out by armed groups in the region.

According to the Global Terrorism Index 2025 data, Pakistan ranked as the second country in the world in terms of the highest number of casualties from terrorist incidents in 2025. Fatalities resulting from terrorist attacks in the country increased by 45 percent compared to the previous year. In May alone, 85 terrorist attacks were recorded in the country, compared to 81 reported in April.