US 'strongly condemns' terrorist attack in DI Khan

Secy of State Antony Blinken says country stands with people of Pakistan 'in ensuring perpetrators brought to justice'

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed solidarity with Pakistan on Wednesday, a day after a deadly terrorist attack in Dera Ismail Khan martyred 23 military personnel.

Blinken said, "The US strongly condemns the terrorist attack at a security post in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa," adding that the country stood with the people of Pakistan “in ensuring perpetrators are brought to justice”.

He also offered condolences to the families of the victims.

The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attack at a security post in Kyhber Paktunkhwa. We stand with the people of Pakistan in ensuring perpetrators are brought to justice and offer our deep condolences to the families of the victims.

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) December 13, 2023

A day earlier, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that a group of six terrorists attacked a security forces’ check post in the Daraban general area in the early hours of Tuesday.

“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," according to the military's media wing.

“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 added.

The Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan (TJP), a group that only emerged on the scene in February this year, claimed responsibility for the DI Khan attack.

Read At least 23 soldiers martyred in DI Khan attack: ISPR

Earlier last week, the United States threw its weight behind Pakistan in the wake of renewed threat posed by banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), as the key aide of President Biden said his country stands with Pakistan.

The support from the US came at a time when Pakistan is grappling with increased terrorist attacks being perpetrated by the TTP from across the border in Afghanistan.

US special Representative for Afghanistan Tom West flew to Pakistan earlier this week and held talks with Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani, Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir and other officials.

Before wrapping up his three-day visit, the US pointman for Afghanistan on Saturday in a statement acknowledged the "grave threat" posed by the TTP to Pakistan.

"Departing Islamabad after productive two-day visit. Important conversations with [Caretaker Foreign Minister] Jalil Jilani, Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, and Asif Durrani[Pakistan's Special Representative to Afghanistan], and MOI Secretary Durrani about grave security challenges posed by TTP as well as imperative to protect Afghan refugees," he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

"The United States stands with Pakistan against terrorism in the region," he added.

Official sources said the US special envoy assured all out support to Pakistan to deal with the TTP threat.

The secretary of state's remarks also come as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir is on his maiden visit to the US.

In its brief statement, the military's media wing said General Munir is "scheduled to meet senior military and other government officials of the US".