Suicide attack leaves 8 dead in N Waziristan

IED mounted on a rickshaw explodes near a check post

MIRANSHAH:

A day after a brazen attack on a checkpoint in DI Khan that left 10 Frontier Constabulary (FC) soldiers dead, terrorists used an improvised explosive device (IED) on Saturday to target law enforcement officials manning a check post in North Waziristan district, resulting in the martyrdom of at least eight people.

According to government sources, the IED, mounted on a rickshaw, detonated when police and security officials were inspecting vehicles at the Aslam check post in the Eidak area of North Waziristan's Mir Ali tehsil.

Locals reported that the explosion, which was heard from miles away, completely destroyed nearby vehicles, including a military vehicle stationed near the check post.

Sources confirmed that the attack claimed the lives of four policemen, two security personnel, and two civilians, while injuring many others. Following the explosion, security forces and emergency responders rushed to the scene, transporting the deceased and wounded to Miranshah Hospital.

Critically injured victims were later airlifted to Bannu Combined Military Hospital. Hospital sources said the death toll may rise. After the incident, security forces cordoned off the area and closed Miranshah Road to all vehicular traffic.

President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday expressed heartfelt grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives of innocent civilians and police personnel in the suicide attack in North Waziristan.

Strongly condemning the attack, the president described it as a cowardly act. "Terrorists will never succeed in their evil designs," he said in a statement issued by the President House.

Zardari stressed the need for taking all possible measures to completely eradicate terrorism. Paying tribute to the martyred personnel, He prayed for patience for the bereaved families, and wished a swift recovery for the injured.

In a separate incident, terrorists ambushed a police van in DI Khan on Saturday. However, thanks to prompt action, the police repelled the attack, killing two terrorists in return fire.

The SHO of DI Khan's Cantonment Police Station, along with a police squad, was patrolling within the station's jurisdiction when unidentified assailants lying in wait opened fire on their van.

The police squad responded immediately, and the counterattack resulted in the death of both terrorists, with no injuries to the police team. The police recovered weapons and explosives used in the ambush from the possession of the terrorists. A large contingent of police subsequently arrived at the scene.

The deceased terrorists were identified as Gul Dar Ali, alias Asim, a resident of Domel, and Owais, alias Haris, a resident of Wanda Painda Khan. Both were wanted by Bannu Police and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Bannu Region on charges including terrorism, targeted killings, extortion, and attacks on police.

Meanwhile, in the Mirakhel Ghani Machan Khel area of Bannu, unknown gunmen on a motorcycle killed a policeman, Head Constable Farman. Police have initiated an investigation into the incident.

On Friday, ten FC soldiers embraced martyrdom, and three others were injured while foiling a terrorist attack on the Zam check post near the Darazinda area in Dera Ismail Khan district. (WITH INPUT FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT IN DI KHAN)