DI KHAN – At least 25 soldiers embraced martyrdom and 27 terrorists were killed in three incidents of terrorism in Dera Ismail Khan, the military’s media wing said on Tuesday.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), “heightened activities” were witnessed in the district on the nights of December 11 and 12.
“Six terrorists attacked the security post in the early morning hours.
“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; twenty three brave soldiers embraced shahadat, while all six terrorists were effectively engaged and sent to hell,” the ISPR said.
Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan, a new group affiliated with the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), claimed responsibility for the attack on the check-post.
Meanwhile, the ISPR said 17 terrorists were killed in a separate intelligence-based operation in the Darazinda area of Dera Ismail Khan. In this attack, two soldiers embraced martyrdom.
Whereas, four more terrorists were neutralised in another intelligence-based operation in the Kulachi area.
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.
Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar strongly condemned the attack and said the “dedication, sacrifice and valor in the face of terror is unparalleled and a beacon of hope for our nation”.
I salute our valiant security forces for countering the attack in Dera Ismail Khan. Their dedication, sacrifice and valor in the face of terror is unparalleled and a beacon of hope for our nation. My deepest sympathies with the families of our brave martyrs. We will fight back…
— Anwaar ul Haq Kakar (@anwaar_kakar) December 12, 2023
The prime minister also extended his deepest sympathies with the families of brave martyrs. “We will fight back till the menace of terrorism is eliminated from our motherland,” he added.
Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfaraz Bugti condemned the “terrorist attack on the police station” and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives.
نگران وزیرداخلہ سرفرازاحمد بگٹی کی ڈیرہ اسماعیل خان میں پولیس اسٹیشن پر دہشت گرد حملے کی شدید الفاظ میں مذمت، دہشت گرد حملے میں پولیس اہلکاروں کی شہادت پر گہرے دکھ اور افسوس کا اظہار، شہید ہونے والے پولیس اہلکاروں کے بلند درجات کے لیے دعا گو ہیں
— Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) December 12, 2023
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed sorrow over the loss of lives in the incident.
چیئرمین پیپلزپارٹی بلاول بھٹو زرداری کا 23 بہادر سپاہیوں کی شہادت پر اظہار افسوس
آخری دہشت گرد کے خاتمے تک شہیدوں کا خون قوم پر قرض رہے گا ' بلاول بھٹو زرداری
دھرتی کو وطن دشمنوں کے ناپاک وجود کو مٹانے سے امن ہوگا ' بلاول بھٹو زرداری ۔
بلاول بھٹو زرداری کا شہداء کے…
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) December 12, 2023
Pakistan has witnessed rise in terror attacks in recent time, especially in KP and Balochistan. The development came after the TTP ended its ceasefire with the government in November last year.
On Nov 3, a bomb blast targeting police killed five people and injured over 20 others in DI Khan.
