Context
Pakistan’s troubled northwestern tribal region saw alarming uptick in violence on Friday, which killed about 55 people. A suicide attack took place in a mosque in Tirah valley after Friday prayers which killed 22 people. The mosque is located in an area controlled by warlord Mangal Bagh and most of the dead were from Lashkare Islam and Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.
In a separate clash that lasted for nearly six hours, 23 militants and 10 soldiers died when a check post was attacked in Tirah.
15 militants were also killed when Pakistan fighter jets targeted various suspected militants hideouts in the Orakzai Agency. Five suspected hideouts were destroyed in Akhunkot and Barlas areas.
