In a tragic incident early Tuesday, a police compound in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, near the Afghan border, became the target of a militant attack, resulting in the death of at least 23 soldiers and injuries to dozens more.
The assault, claimed by the militant group Tahreek-e-Jihad Pakistan (TJP), affiliated with the Pakistani Taliban, unfolded when a vehicle laden with explosives rammed into the compound in the Dera Ismail Khan district. Before the vehicle attack, militants attempted to breach the compound but were thwarted, according to a statement from the army. Undeterred, the attackers utilized an explosive-laden truck to breach the compound’s boundary wall, followed by a suicide bomb attack that caused the building to collapse. Reports suggest that stored ammunition within the compound may have also exploded, resulting in casualties, including individuals asleep at the time of the incident.
In response to the assault, the military reported the killing of six attackers, with a total of 27 militants neutralised in subsequent operations in the area overnight. Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul-Haq Kakar and caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti have strongly condemned the attack.
The TJP, a relatively new militant group that emerged earlier this year, has claimed responsibility for the assault. This incident adds to the concerning trend of heightened militant activities in border regions with Afghanistan, following the withdrawal of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from a ceasefire last year. Experts suggest a potential emboldening of the TTP due to the Afghan Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021. Islamabad alleges insurgent activities originating from across the border, a claim consistently denied by the Afghan Taliban.
The TTP, distinct from the Afghan Taliban, shares a hard-line ideology and has been in conflict with Pakistan’s armed forces and police for years. Operating independently, the TTP seeks to impose its interpretation of Sharia law in Pakistan’s north-west.
This attack underscores the ongoing security challenges in the region, emphasising the urgent need for coordinated efforts to counter the growing threat of militant activities in Pakistan’s border areas. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the complex security landscape and the continuous efforts required to ensure the safety and stability of the region.
Kiki Garba
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