Suicide attack at checkpost in K-P's North Waziristan injures 14

Miranshah DHQ medical superintendent says four of the injured in critical condition

PESHAWAR:

At least 14 civilians were injured after a suicide attack at a checkpost in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's North Waziristan on Friday, according to officials.

The police said the attack targeted the Chashma Sarbandi checkpost on the Miranshah-Bannu Road and left 14 injured.

"Four of the injured are in critical condition," said Miranshah District Headquarters Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Asif Iqbal, adding that additional injured victims were being brought in.

He said that there was no information as of yet about any deaths in the incident.

K-P Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi took notice of a suicide blast at the Chashma Checkpost in Miranshah, and strongly condemned the incident.

According to a statement, the chief minister sought a detailed report on the incident from the provincial police chief.

Afridi described the injuries suffered by civilians in the blast as deeply unfortunate and expressed concern over the incident.

He directed the relevant authorities to ensure the provision of the best possible medical facilities to the injured and stressed that no negligence should be shown in their treatment.

Afridi said cowardly acts of terrorism could not undermine the resolve of the government and the public. He reiterated that all necessary measures would continue to be taken to ensure the protection of the lives and property of citizens.

Pakistan witnessed a surge in terrorism last year, with the country recording an over 25 per cent increase in overall violence across its security landscape. At least 3,187 people were killed in violence-linked incidents arising from as many as 1,188 occurrences, including terrorist attacks and counterterrorism operations.

The wave of violence continued into the new year, with the worst episode occurring in January when terrorists launched coordinated attacks at multiple locations across Balochistan, particularly targeting civilians in Gwadar. At least 18 civilians were killed in the assaults. Security forces responded promptly, killing 92 militants in subsequent operations, while 15 security personnel were martyred during the fighting.

The violence reached the federal capital on Feb 6 when a suicide bomber blew himself up in Islamabad’s Tarlai area, killing more than 30 civilians and injuring dozens of others. The interior minister blamed militant groups for the attack.

Pakistan accused Afghanistan of facilitating the attackers and providing them safe havens. With no tangible response forthcoming, Islamabad decided to launch an operation against militant outfits and their facilitators across the border.

Last week, Pakistan carried out air strikes targeting camps of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State Khorasan Province inside Afghanistan following a fresh wave of attacks in Pakistan, including the Islamabad suicide bombing. Pakistani security sources said more than 80 militants were killed in the strikes.

Tensions between the two neighbours also surged after a series of explosions in Kabul on Oct 9 last year. Taliban forces subsequently targeted areas along Pakistan’s border, prompting Islamabad to respond with cross-border shelling. The exchanges caused casualties and infrastructure damage on both sides and led to the suspension of trade after border crossings were closed on Oct 12.