23 soldiers martyred in D I Khan suicide attack

F.P. Report

D I KHAN: Twenty-five Pakistan Army soldiers were martyred while 27 terrorists were killed in three separate incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan, the military’s media affairs 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. In the early hours on Tuesday, a group of six terrorists attacked a security forces’ checkpost in the Daraban general area, it said.

“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 casualties; 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 terrorists 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. Tehreek-i-Jihad Pakistan (TJP), a new group affiliated with the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), claimed responsibility for the attack on the checkpost.

The TJP spokesman in his claim said four bombers, belonging to Lakki, Dera Ismail Khan, Swat and Mardan districts, took part in the attack. Pakistan has recently been claiming the involvement of Afghans in terrorist attacks and the statement by the TJP appears to suggest otherwise.

Meanwhile, funeral prayers of twenty three brave soldiers who embraced Shahadat while fighting terrorists’ attack in Daraban area today, was offered in Dera Ismail Khan Garrison.

Corps Commander Peshawar along with large number of serving officers, soldiers, civil officials and public attended the funeral. Shuhada will be laid to rest with full military honour in their respective hometowns. Armed Forces of Pakistan stand resolute and committed to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the motherland at all cost.

Meanwhile, the ISPR said 17 terrorists were killed in a separate intelligence-based operation in the Darazinda area of Dera Ismail Khan. It further stated that two soldiers embraced martyrdom while four more terrorists were neutralised in another intelligence-based operation 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.

President Arif Alvi, in a statement, said such cowardly acts could not shake the resolve of the security personnel. Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani said, “Terrorists and their handlers, wherever they are, will pay for their cowardly attacks”.

“Our brave soldiers are ready to make the ultimate sacrifice to blunt the nefarious designs of enemies. Heartfelt condolences with families of victims of today’s attack and prayers for martyrs,” he said in a post on X. Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfaraz Bugti also condemned the terrorist attack and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari extended condolences to the grieving families and called attacks on both civilians and security forces unforgivable. Meanwhile, former president Asif Ali Zardari emphasised 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,” he said. PPP leader Sherry Rehman and PTI leader Ali Muhammad Khan also condemned the attack. “The losses we suffer only strengthen our implacable resolve to fight such a twisted mindset,” she said. The latter said that the “evil plans of the enemies of the state” would always be thwarted.