Unidentified individuals detonated explosives near Wanda Faqiran in Lakki Marwat, Pakistan, causing a gas pipeline to blow up, police sources confirmed on October 18th, 2025, during the reporting window between 5:08 PM and 6:08 PM UTC. The exact time of the explosion and the extent of damage were not immediately specified. This incident follows ongoing discussions in Doha between Pakistan and Afghanistan, where border security and terrorism, particularly concerning the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), remain key points of contention. The Pakistani delegation, including Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and DG ISI Lt. General Asim Malik, has stated Pakistan will retaliate against all acts of terrorism. This comes after a drone attack on October 18th, 2025, at 7:30 PM UTC in Pakistan's Bajaur district injured security personnel and killed one. During the Doha talks, the Afghan delegation reportedly expressed an inability to take decisive action against the TTP. Pakistan has proposed joint operations or, if the Taliban lack capacity, tacit approval for targeted strikes, according to sources. The Afghan Taliban has recently made new military appointments, naming Qari Muhammad Ayub Khaled as commander of the 215th Al-Azm Army Corps and Mullah Sharafuddin Taqi as commander of the 217th Umari Army Corps, as announced by Zabehulah Mujahed on X. Previously, Deputy Interior Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Mohammad Nabi Omari, stated that the TTP was not created or supported by the Islamic Emirate. Afghan Taliban officials had also indicated a willingness to share verified details of TTP hideouts but deemed it unrealistic to expect a halt to TTP operations targeting Pakistan.
