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.
Read: Terrorist killed in DI Khan operation: ISPR
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.
Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfaraz Ahmad Bugti also strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the security forces installation in DI Khan.
Expressing his heartfelt condolences, the interim minister conveyed his deep regret and distress over the martyrdom of security officials in the terrorist attack
Praying for the martyrs, Bugti said that we equally share the grief of their families
“The terrorists would never succeed in their heinous crimes,” Bugti stated and reiterated that the “entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the security forces in their war against terrorism”.
Hailing the martyrs as the real heroes, the interior minister said the sacrifices of the security forces would never go in vain.
He stated that the entire world recognises the unparalleled sacrifices of Pakistan’s security forces in the war against terrorism.
The district of DI Khan has seen an uptick in terror attacks in recent weeks.
IBOs in DI Khan
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.
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.
In another IBO in the general area of Kulachi, the ISPR said troops engaged a terrorist location and four militants were killed.
However, two soldiers were martyred in the exchange of fire with the terrorists.
"️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."
Earlier, a bomb blast 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.
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.
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.
Funeral prayers offered
Funeral prayers of 23 martyred soldiers were offered in Dera Ismail Khan Garrison later in the evening.
Corps Commander Peshawar along with large number of serving officers, soldiers, civil officials and public attended the funeral.
“Shuhada (martyrs) will be laid to rest with full military honour in their respective hometowns,” the ISPR said in a statement.
🚨#ISPR
— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) December 12, 2023
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.@OfficialDGISPR #PakistanArmy #Pakistan #FC
Corps Commander Peshawar along with large number of… pic.twitter.com/Jn4adYLl9O
“Armed Forces of Pakistan stand resolute and committed to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the motherland at all cost,” it maintained.
(Additional reporting by Reuters)
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