Drone attack injures three police officers at displaced persons' camp in Bannu

At least three police officers were injured in an alleged militant drone attack on a camp for temporarily displaced people in Bannu district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, police said on Sunday. The attack targeted a security tower in the Bakakhel area. Police have launched a search operation.

How did the Bannu drone attack happen?

The attackers used a quadcopter drone to target Tower No. 3 at the camp, according to an initial report filed by Utmanzai Police. Bannu District Police Officer Shafi Ullah Gandapur confirmed that three officers stationed at the tower were injured. Authorities have not yet determined who operated the drone or where it was launched from.

Who was injured and what are police doing?

The injured personnel were identified as Ayaz, Ibrahim and Rahimullah. They were taken to the District Headquarters Hospital for medical treatment.

Police launched a search operation in the area and began a district-wide security crackdown. The aim is to maintain law and order, protect residents and curb criminal activities. Police added that all available resources were being used to maintain security across the district.

How common are drone attacks on police in Bannu?

Police said militants carried out more than 200 drone attacks targeting police and security personnel across the Bannu Division in 2025. Ijaz Ahmed, deputy inspector general of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police IT Section, said an anti-drone system had been integrated into the Safe City Project.

The system is installed in most parts of Bannu and is now operational, he said. It can detect suspicious drones and shoot them down, which he said had significantly reduced attacks targeting police personnel.