17 December 2021

A China Mobile tower was destroyed in a northwestern tribal district of Pakistan, soon after it started providing Internet service.

Police said November 5 that the tower in the restive North Waziristan district was destroyed with explosives by unidentified persons.

The tower belonged to China Mobile Pakistan, a 100% owned subsidiary of China Mobile Communications. The Pakistan-based mobile data network operator does business under the name Zong.

Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), known as the Pakistani Taliban and other militant groups are known to operate in the area.

A local police officer said the tower had been providing mobile phone signals since 2019.

According to reports, the blast occurred two days after the tower started providing internet service to the area.
Local residents have staged protests in the past demanding high-speed Internet connections.

Pakistani security forces carried out a massive military operation in North Waziristan in June 2014 claiming that the TTP had been eradicated.

However, continued attacks by the militants suggest the group has returned and poses a threat to peace and security in the area once again.

As yet, no group has claimed responsibility for the explosion.