How Terrorists In Pakistan Are Using 'Double-Tap' Tactic Attacks To Maximise Casualties
How Terrorists In Pakistan Are Using 'Double-Tap' Tactic Attacks To Maximise Casualties Published By, Last Updated: August 03, 2026, 10:59 IST Pakistan's evolving 'double-tap' terror
How Terrorists In Pakistan Are Using 'Double-Tap' Tactic Attacks To Maximise Casualties Published By, Last Updated: August 03, 2026, 10:59 IST Pakistan's evolving 'double-tap' terror strategy comes under scrutiny, especially in the wake of the recent suicide bombing killed 19 people, exposing vulnerabilities. Pakistan has witnessed a rise in 'double-tap' terror attacks, where militants first target security installations before ambushing reinforcement teams responding to the scene. (Photo: AFP) Pakistan’s security forces are facing renewed scrutiny over their counterterrorism preparedness, especially after a suicide bombing at an anti-militancy rally in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa‘s Swat district killed 19 people, with recent incidents exposing what the country’s officials describe as a dangerous “double-tap" strategy increasingly employed by terrorists. The latest attack took place on Sunday in Kabal town of Swat Valley, where hundreds of people had gathered for an anti-militancy rally near a police station, chanting slogans for peace and demanding stronger action against extremist groups. A suicide bomber detonated explosives amid the crowd, killing 19 people, including civilians and police personnel, while injuring more than two dozen others. ALSO READ | Video Captures Moment Suicide Bomber Hits Peace Rally In Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 19 Killed Witnesses said speakers at the rally had criticised the authorities for failing to eliminate militancy, insisting that ensuring security was the state’s responsibility.
The explosion ripped through the gathering moments later, causing widespread panic. The attack comes amid growing concerns over evolving militant tactics. According to a Dawn report, terrorists have increasingly adopted a “double-tap" strategy, in which an initial assault on a police installation is followed by a second strike targeting reinforcement teams rushing to the scene. ‘Double-Tap’ Strategy Increasing Police Casualties In Pakistan The report said militants typically launch an attack on a police checkpost or station before positioning another team along routes likely to be used by reinforcements. As additional police personnel move towards the attacked location, they are ambushed through improvised explosive devices (IEDs), roadside attacks or loitering drones capable of dropping explosives. Senior police officials were quoted as saying that predictable response patterns have repeatedly turned reinforcement teams into vulnerable targets. They believe inadequate planning and insufficient tactical training have contributed to heavy casualties among police personnel responding to emergencies. According to the report, at least 16 police personnel, including three deputy superintendents of police (DSPs), have been killed over the past three years while responding to attacks rather than during the initial assaults themselves.
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