A series of militant attacks, counterterrorism operations and clashes with security forces were reported across Pakistan and the Sahel during the period of September 16–26, 2026. The incidents included suicide bombings, attacks on police and security personnel, and major jihadist assaults on military positions.
1. Kohat Police Lines Mosque Attack — Pakistan
September 18, 2026 — Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
At least 22 people, including 15 police officers, were killed and more than 100 were wounded after an explosives-laden vehicle detonated near a mosque inside the Kohat Police Lines compound. Militants subsequently stormed the police complex and attacked security facilities. Pakistani security forces killed seven attackers, including the suicide bomber.
The precise casualty total varied among reports as the death toll was revised. Responsibility was attributed to Ittihadul Mujahideen Pakistan, a group associated with the Hafiz Gul Bahadur network. The Pakistani Taliban, or TTP, denied responsibility.
Sources: South Asia Terrorism Portal; Pakistani reporting.
2. Dera Ismail Khan Police Checkpost Suicide Bombing — Pakistan
September 26, 2026 — Dera Ismail Khan District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
A suicide bomber drove an explosives-laden vehicle into the Aman Mela police checkpoint in the Darazinda area of Dera Ismail Khan. Twelve people were killed and 35 were wounded, according to the regional police chief.
Police said the dead from the initial blast included civilians and a Customs official, but no law-enforcement or security personnel. A separate attack on a Rescue 1122 ambulance transporting victims killed two rescue workers and wounded another.
Sources: Dawn; Geo News.
3. Nushki Attack on Police Protecting Polio Workers — Pakistan
September 22, 2026 — Nushki District, Balochistan
Two police officers assigned to protect a government polio-vaccination team were shot and killed by gunmen during a door-to-door vaccination campaign.
The vaccination workers were not injured. No organization immediately claimed responsibility. Pakistani officials noted that both separatist militants and the Pakistani Taliban have previously targeted security personnel and civilians in Balochistan.
Source: Associated Press.
4. Hangu Security Forces Operation — Pakistan
September 17–20, 2026 — Hangu District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Pakistani security forces conducted counterterrorism operations and clashes with militants in Hangu District. Reporting from the period said six members of the security forces, including two officers, were killed, while Pakistani authorities reported eight militants killed.
The incident formed part of continuing Pakistani military and police operations against militant networks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Source: Pakistani security reporting summarized by South Asian security monitors.
5. North Waziristan Militant Clash — Pakistan
September 17, 2026 — North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Pakistani security forces came under attack during a routine patrol in Raghzai village in Shewa Tehsil. Security forces reported killing four militants and wounding two others during the ensuing clash.
The incident was one of several militant-security-force engagements reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the week.
Source: South Asia Terrorism Portal.
6. Kurram Counterterrorism Operation — Pakistan
September 17, 2026 — Kurram District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Pakistani security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in the Girdai Nala area of Kurram District. Eight militants were reported killed.
The operation came amid continuing Pakistani efforts to disrupt militant networks operating in the northwestern tribal districts.
Source: South Asia Terrorism Portal.
7. Balochistan Counterterrorism Operations — Pakistan
September 18–20, 2026 — Balochistan
Pakistani security forces reported several operations against armed militants in Balochistan during this period. In one operation near Kalat, five militants were reported killed and 23 abducted people were rescued after security forces disrupted a militant checkpoint on a major highway.
The operations followed a period of heightened militant activity in the province.
8. Peshawar Counterterrorism Department Clash — Pakistan
September 24, 2026 — Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
A Counterterrorism Department operation in Peshawar resulted in a firefight with suspected militants. One police officer was killed and another militant was reported killed.
The incident was among several security operations against suspected militant cells in northwestern Pakistan during the week.
9. JNIM Attack on Sévaré Military Infrastructure — Mali
September 20, 2026 — Sévaré and Konna, central Mali
Al-Qaeda-linked Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) claimed attacks against military infrastructure at Sévaré airport and nearby Konna.
JNIM claimed that 33 pro-government personnel were killed. Reuters reported that the airport had endured repeated nighttime shelling and that approximately 40 wounded Malian soldiers and Russian Africa Corps personnel were seen at a hospital. The 33-death figure was a claim by JNIM and was not independently verified.
Source: Reuters; Council on Foreign Relations.
10. Dioura Military Camp Massacre — Mali
September 10, 2026 — Dioura, central Mali
Although it falls just outside the September 16–26 reporting window, the Dioura attack is one of the most significant jihadist attacks reported during this period and is included here for context.
JNIM attacked a Malian military camp on September 10. Reuters reported that more than 100 Malian soldiers were killed, with sources estimating approximately 120–130 deaths. JNIM claimed responsibility and gave a higher casualty figure. More than 100 soldiers were also reportedly taken hostage.
Source: Reuters.
EDITOR'S NOTE
Casualty figures in active conflict zones frequently change as authorities recover bodies and hospitals compile their records. Figures attributed to militant organizations should be identified as claims unless independently confirmed. The incidents above have therefore been written to distinguish confirmed reporting from claims by combatant parties.
