At least 23 soldiers martyred in DI Khan attack: ISPR

At least 23 soldiers were killed when militants rammed an explosive-laden truck into a security forces post in Khyber-Paktunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan district, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Tuesday.

The military’s media wing added that the terrorists rammed the explosive-laden vehicle after their attempts to gain entry were “effectively thwarted”.

The car bomb was followed by another suicide attack, leading to the collapse of the building, causing multiple casualties. Six terrorists were killed in the attack, said ISPR.

Security forces were using the building as a base camp, two security officials told Reuters and added that they fear that ammunition stored inside might have also exploded.

The military’s media wing added that sanitization operations are being conducted to “eliminate any other terrorist present in the area”.

Several people were wounded and in critical condition, said Aizaz Mehmood, an official of the state-run rescue service. “We are still hearing gunshots,” he told Reuters at the time of the last update around noon.All bazaars and markets are closed in the area today, while all government and private educational institutions are also closed until further notice.

Condemnations

President Arif Alvi condemned the attack on security forces and said the sacrifices of the martyrs will not be on vain.

Interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar strongly condemned the terrorist attack on security forces in DI Khan and expressed condolences to the families of the martyred and injured, said a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office.

Security forces can not be demoralised by such cowardly acts, said Kakar as he directed authorities to provide all possible medical assistance to those injured.

“The entire nation salutes the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the war against terrorism,” said the caretaker premier.