Security sources have traced links of the recent suicide attack on a Pakistan Army vehicle in Bannu to Hafiz Gul Bahadur, currently based in Afghanistan.
According to officials, the responsibility for the Bannu attack has been claimed by Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen, a sub-group of the Fitna-ul-Khawarij network, which operates under Hafiz Gul Bahadur. The group’s leadership, including Gul Bahadur and key commanders, are reportedly taking refuge in Afghanistan while orchestrating terrorism and sectarian unrest in Pakistan. Sources highlighted that the same group was behind the attack on Bannu Cantt on March 4, 2025, during Ramadan, which was also planned from Afghan soil. On September 2, 2025, Major Adnan was martyred fighting bravely during another Fitna-ul-Khawarij attack in Bannu.