Attack on Cadet College Wana
Security forces in Pakistan’s South Waziristan region are conducting an ongoing operation against foreign militants who had taken refuge inside Cadet College Wana, officials confirmed on Monday.
According to local sources, the operation began after militants rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the main gate of the college. The powerful blast destroyed the entrance and damaged several nearby buildings.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistan’s military media wing, stated that security personnel acted swiftly to repel the assault. Two attackers were killed during the initial exchange of fire, while three others managed to enter the administrative block of the college.
Militants Believed to Be of Afghan Origin
Sources close to the operation said that all three remaining militants are believed to be of Afghan origin. Reports suggest they were in communication with handlers across the border in Afghanistan through mobile phones.
The college, a well-known institution for military and academic training, is located at a distance from civilian areas. Security officials confirmed that the militants are cornered in a section of the campus far from student dormitories.
Clearance Operation Underway
Troops have surrounded the compound and are proceeding with a building-to-building clearance operation. Authorities emphasized that the process is being carried out with extreme caution to avoid civilian casualties and further damage to property.
The operation will continue until all militants are neutralized, said a security source. Only after the area is completely secured will the forces declare it clear.
Background: Rising Cross-Border Tensions
The attack comes amid a recent uptick in cross-border militancy along Pakistan’s frontier with Afghanistan. Pakistani officials have repeatedly blamed Afghan-based groups for orchestrating assaults on security installations and border outposts.
According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), militant attacks in Pakistan rose by nearly 50% in 2024 compared with the previous year, with many incidents concentrated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.
Security analysts say the renewed violence underscores the fragile security situation in tribal areas despite years of counterterrorism operations.
Situation Remains Tense
As of late Monday, the area around Cadet College Wana remained sealed off. Additional troops and armored vehicles have been deployed, and communication lines in the vicinity have been restricted.
Authorities have urged residents to stay indoors until the operation concludes. Meanwhile, the government has yet to issue an official statement on potential casualties beyond those confirmed by the military.
The operation reflects Pakistan’s continuing struggle to eliminate militant networks that exploit the porous border with Afghanistan — a challenge that remains central to the country’s security policy.
