A retired employee of Pakistan Railways sacrificed his life while thwarting a suicide bombing attempt near Kohat district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The incident took place in the inter-provincial zone between Punjab’s Jand tehsil and KP’s Khushal Garh Bridge on Monday.
The attacker, identified as a member of the Fitna al-Khawarij terrorist group, was moving through fields in the border area when Liaqat, a local resident, stopped him and requested identification. During the confrontation, the suicide bomber detonated his explosives, killing both Liaqat and himself instantly.
Initial information indicates the militant aimed to reach a sensitive checkpoint located in the inter-provincial region. Liaqat’s courageous intervention prevented what could have been a large-scale attack, safeguarding the checkpoint and civilians nearby. Liaqat hailed from Mankor village in Jand tehsil of Attock district and had retired from Pakistan Railways.
Security officials highlighted that such incidents underscore the persistent threat militants pose to both civilians and security personnel. They emphasized the ongoing efforts by security forces, police, and citizens to counter these attacks.
Since the Afghan Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, Pakistan has experienced a significant rise in cross-border terrorist activities, especially in KP and Balochistan provinces. Islamabad has consistently urged Kabul to stop terrorist groups from using Afghan territory to launch attacks inside Pakistan. However, the Afghan Taliban regime has declined to act against these organizations.
In response, Pakistan initiated Operation Ghazab lil-Haq in February 2026, months after both countries agreed to a ceasefire in October 2025. This followed clashes sparked by unprovoked gunfire from the Afghan Taliban at multiple border points. Despite numerous negotiations, no agreement has been reached due to the Afghan Taliban’s unwillingness to curb terrorist outfits operating from their soil.
