Pakistan has declared a state of emergency in Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, restricting the use of certain vehicles following reports of potential sabotage.

District Education Officer Abdul Malik also ordered a one-day closure of all government schools to ensure public safet, reports Al Jazeera.

Bannu police have been placed on high alert, with security measures intensified across the district. District Police Officer Yasir Afridi said six attacks were successfully foiled, including attempts at the Kashoo Bridge check post and Kotka Muhammad Khan Domel area. Authorities urged residents to avoid spreading rumours and to cooperate with security forces.

The announcement comes amid rising tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Pakistan has rejected Afghan Taliban calls for talks. Mosharraf Zaidi, spokesperson for the Pakistani Prime Minister, told Pakistan TV, “There won’t be any talks. There is no dialogue or negotiation. Terrorism from Afghanistan must end.” He added that Pakistan will act against terrorists and their enablers and stressed that international support is needed to prevent Afghan soil from being used for cross-border attacks.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan says it is pursuing “active diplomacy” alongside “legitimate and responsible” military action. Zakir Jalali, political director of Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry, said Afghan officials consulted with foreign ministers of Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia to clarify their position.

Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar claimed that Pakistani forces have killed 331 Afghan Taliban fighters, injured over 500, destroyed 104 checkpoints, and captured 22, though these figures could not be independently verified.

Border tensions remain high as both sides continue military and diplomatic maneuvers.