23 soldiers martyred in terrorist attack on security forces’ checkpost in Dera Ismail Khan: ISPR
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), six terrorists attacked the security post in the early hours of December 12.
“The attempt to enter the post was effectively thwarted which forced the terrorists to ram an explosive laden vehicle into the post, followed by a suicide bombing attack.
“The resulting blasts led to the collapse of the building, causing multiple causalities; 23 brave soldiers embraced shahadat, while all six terrorists were effectively engaged and sent to hell,” the ISPR said.
It added that sanitisation operations were being conducted to eliminate any other terrorist present in the area. “Security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthens our resolve,” the ISPR said.
Separately, 17 terrorists were killed in an intelligence-based operation in the Darazinda area of Dera Ismail Khan on the night of Dec 11 and Dec 12.
“During the conduct of operation, terrorists’ hideout was busted and 17 terrorists were sent to hell,” the military’s media affairs wing said.
️The ISPR further stated that two soldiers embraced martyrdom while four more terrorists were neutralised in another IBO in the Kulachi area.
“️The killed terrorists were actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against security forces as well as killing of innocent civilians. Weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered during the operations,” it added.
Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan, a new group affiliated with the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), claimed responsibility for the attack.
This is the military’s highest single-day death toll from terrorist attacks reported this year. Before this, 12 soldiers were martyred in separate military operations in the Zhob and Sui areas of Balochistan in July.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), caretaker Interior Minister Sarfaraz Bugti condemned the “terrorist attack on the police station” and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed sorrow over the loss of lives in the incident, condemning the attacks on both civilians and security forces as unforgivable.
Former president Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the attack, emphasising the need to eradicate the menace of terrorism.
He also prayed for the recovery of the injured.
Former Sindh governor Dr Ishratul Ibad said he was saddened by the heinous attack.
“My heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the fallen security men, and I wish for the injured to recover quickly.”
Pakistan has witnessed an uptick in terror activities in recent months, especially in KP and Balochistan, after the TTP ended its ceasefire with the government in November last year.
On Nov 3, a bomb blast targeting police personnel killed five people and injured over 20 others in DI Khan.
On Oct 31, a policeman was martyred after unknown militants opened fire on a police camp in Dera Ismail Khan. That same day, two soldiers were martyred in an IED blast in South Waziristan district.
According to data released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, the country experienced a 34 per cent increase in anti-state violence last month. It showed KP as the most affected province, documenting 51 attacks, causing 54 fatalities and 81 injuries.
Source » dawn.com
