{"id":34566,"date":"2023-12-12T11:52:30","date_gmt":"2023-12-12T11:52:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/at-least-23-security-personnel-martyred-in-di-khan-attack-ispr-the-express-tribune\/"},"modified":"2023-12-12T11:52:30","modified_gmt":"2023-12-12T11:52:30","slug":"at-least-23-security-personnel-martyred-in-di-khan-attack-ispr-the-express-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/at-least-23-security-personnel-martyred-in-di-khan-attack-ispr-the-express-tribune\/","title":{"rendered":"At least 23 security personnel martyred in DI Khan attack: ISPR | The Express Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"
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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.<\/p>\n

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

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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

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.<\/p>\n

Read: <\/strong>Terrorist killed in DI Khan operation: ISPR<\/a><\/p>\n

All bazaars and markets are closed in the area today, while all government and private educational institutions are also closed until further notice.<\/p>\n

Condemnations<\/strong><\/p>\n

President Arif Alvi condemned the attack on security forces and said the sacrifices of the martyrs will not be on vain.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

“The entire nation salutes the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the war against terrorism,” said the caretaker premier.<\/p>\n

Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfaraz Ahmad Bugti also strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the security forces installation in DI Khan.<\/p>\n

Expressing his heartfelt condolences, the interim minister conveyed his deep regret and distress over the martyrdom of security officials in the terrorist attack<\/p>\n

Praying for the martyrs, Bugti said that we equally share the grief of their families<\/p>\n

\u201cThe terrorists would never succeed in their heinous crimes,\u201d Bugti stated and reiterated that the \u201centire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the security forces in their war against terrorism\u201d.<\/p>\n

Hailing the martyrs as the real heroes, the interior minister said the sacrifices of the security forces would never go in vain.<\/p>\n

He stated that the entire world recognises the unparalleled sacrifices of Pakistan\u2019s security forces in the war against terrorism.<\/p>\n

The district of DI Khan has seen an uptick in terror attacks in recent weeks.<\/p>\n

IBOs in DI Khan<\/strong><\/p>\n

The military’s media wing said the night of December 11\/12 witnessed “heightened activities” in the district and a total of 27 terrorists were killed.<\/p>\n

An intelligence-based operation (IBO) was conducted in the districts’s Darazinda area. During the operation, a hideout of terrorists was found and 17 terrorists were killed.<\/p>\n

In another IBO in the general area of Kulachi, the ISPR said troops engaged a terrorist location and four militants were killed.<\/p>\n

However, two soldiers were martyred in the exchange of fire with the terrorists.<\/p>\n

“\ufe0fThe 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.”<\/p>\n

Earlier, a bomb blast<\/a> targeting police killed six people in the district. The bomb exploded close to the route of a police patrol in the city, said police official Mohammad Adnan.<\/p>\n

Six people were killed and 21 injured in the blast, said rescue official Aizaz Mehmood, but he was not able to provide a break-up of police and civilians.<\/p>\n

According to the preliminary investigation, a motorcycle installed with explosive materials was used in the blast. People who died in the blast were between the ages of 15 years to 20 years.<\/p>\n

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Additional reporting by Reuters<\/em><\/p>\n

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