[Today's Prayer] 14 Soldiers Killed in Suicide Bombing by Armed Group in Northwestern Pakistan

A suicide bombing near the Afghanistan border in northwestern Pakistan has resulted in about 40 casualties.

According to AP News on the 29th, a vehicle loaded with explosives rammed into a Pakistani military vehicle in Mir Ali, North Waziristan, the previous day, killing at least 14 soldiers.

Quoting officials, AP reported that 25 people were injured—15 soldiers and 10 civilians.

Preliminary investigations revealed that about 800 kg of explosives were used in the attack, causing such a powerful explosion that nearby houses were severely damaged.

(...omitted...)

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack as a "cowardly act," and Army Chief Asim Munir warned that "any attempt to destabilize Pakistan will face strong retaliation."

Following the attack, the Pakistani military launched an operation and announced that 14 militants had been killed.

The armed group Hafiz Gul Bahadur, which operates in Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the bombing.

This group has a history of attacks, including a bombing in March that killed 12 civilians.

Extremist armed groups that aim to overthrow the Pakistani government and establish a state governed by Sharia (Islamic law) are active near the Afghan border in northwestern Pakistan.

The Pakistani military claimed that the attackers were supported by India but did not present concrete evidence.

India's Ministry of External Affairs rejected the Pakistani military's accusation as groundless.

Tensions between Pakistan and India flared recently after a gun attack on April 22 in Indian-administered Kashmir killed 26 people, including tourists. The two countries exchanged missile strikes but eventually agreed to a ceasefire.

At that time, India accused Pakistan of being behind the attack, which Pakistan denied.

Source: Yonhap News

"You will no longer be called Deserted, and your land will no longer be called Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the LORD will take delight in you, and your land will be married." (Isaiah 62:4)

Prayer:

We hear the news that in the northwestern Pakistan-Afghanistan border region, a suicide bombing has taken the lives of 15 Pakistani soldiers and injured 25 people, including 10 civilians. The Pakistani government claims that the armed group Hafiz Gul Bahadur carried out the attack with support from India.

God, many people in Pakistan have perished due to this suicide bombing. Lord of life, please release the Pakistani people from the snares of death and set them free. Wipe away the tears of this nation.

Lord, You know the spiritual thirst among the Islamic militant groups in Pakistan. May they encounter those who bring the gospel, and may they be transformed by Your Word. Let them come to understand that risking their lives through suicide bombings will not lead to salvation—but that risking their lives for the gospel will bring them the grace of the Kingdom of God.

Pour out compassion on the Pakistani Church toward the victims so that the message of life and the love of the cross may flow through them. Let the Church in Pakistan comfort the bereaved families of those who tragically died in the bombing. May they rely on Jesus Christ, who overcame death by the power of the resurrection, and be led to salvation.

Through the prayers of the global Church, may the Church in Pakistan be prepared as the holy bride of the Bridegroom Jesus. Grant them spiritual leadership to invite the nations to the wedding feast of the Lamb and revive them as a missionary church!

We ask that You send out 90,000 CBB missionaries and 10,000 MBB missionaries who will bear the burden of the final battle!

Let the Pakistani army rise again—transformed into the final weapon of the gospel!