ISLAMABAD: The suicide bomber who targeted the Malangi check post in Bajaur has been identified as an Afghan citizen with alleged ties to the Afghan Taliban’s special forces, according to a report by ARY News citing security officials.
The attack occurred on February 16, 2026, when a militant attempted to detonate explosives at a joint security checkpoint in Bajaur. The incident resulted in the martyrdom of 11 security personnel.
Security sources identified the attacker as Khwariji Ahmed, also known as Qari Abdullah Abuzar, reportedly a resident of Balkh province in Afghanistan. Officials claim he had previously served in the Taliban’s special forces unit.
Authorities maintain that there is substantial evidence indicating that Afghan territory is being used to orchestrate terrorist activities against Pakistan. They further alleged that the participation of Afghan nationals in recent attacks suggests support and facilitation by elements within the Afghan Taliban administration.
Officials also pointed to a pattern of cross-border involvement in several major incidents. The suicide bombing in Islamabad’s Tarlai area on February 6, 2026, was reportedly carried out by an individual trained in Afghanistan. Likewise, those involved in the November 11, 2025 assault on the Islamabad Judicial Complex and the November 24 attack on the FC Headquarters in Peshawar were said to be Afghan nationals.
Authorities additionally cited earlier incidents, including the October 10 attack on the Police Training Center in Dera Ismail Khan and the November 10 assault on Cadet College Wana, which allegedly involved Afghan citizens.
In another case, a suicide bomber identified as Naimatullah, son of Musa Jan, arrested in South Waziristan on October 19, 2025, was reportedly from Kandahar province, Afghanistan.
Security sources further stated that the March 4, 2025 attack on Bannu Cantonment was planned from Afghan soil with confirmed involvement of Afghan nationals. They also claimed that facilitators of the March 11, 2025 Jaffar Express attack maintained contact with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud, who is alleged to be based in Afghanistan.
Officials referenced the confessional statement of Rohullah, a suicide bomber arrested on September 3, 2024, as additional evidence supporting claims of cross-border militant coordination.
Authorities continue to stress that recent terror incidents in Pakistan reflect increasing cross-border linkages and have called for decisive measures to address the issue.
