A devastating suicide bombing struck a police station in Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan early Tuesday, leaving at least 23 officers dead and 32 injured. The explosion caused significant damage to the building, and the death toll could rise as some of the wounded are in critical condition.
The attack began when a suicide bomber detonated his explosives-laden vehicle at the station's main gate. This triggered a shootout between militants and security forces, resulting in the deaths of three attackers.
The attack occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, a former stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban (TTP). While the TTP itself has not claimed responsibility, a newly formed militant group, the Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan (TJP), has taken credit. The TJP is believed to be linked to the TTP.
Local officials reported that a large number of security forces had recently been stationed at the police station to conduct operations against militants in the area. This increased presence may have made the station a prime target for the attack.
This latest attack adds to the growing concern about violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This year alone, several deadly attacks have occurred, including a January bombing at a mosque in Peshawar that killed 101 people.
The Pakistani Taliban have intensified their attacks on security forces since last year, emboldened by the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. Despite being separate groups, the TTP and Afghan Taliban maintain close ties.
Pakistan's caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the attack as an act of terrorism and offered condolences to the victims. Additionally, authorities have launched a search operation to apprehend remaining attackers.
The attack in Dera Ismail Khan serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle against terrorism in Pakistan. As the situation continues to unfold, the pursuit of those responsible and the search for strategies to prevent future attacks remain crucial priorities.
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