DERA ISMAIL KHAN: A suicide attack early Friday on a police training centre here in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa town of Dera Ismail Khan left at least 20 policemen dead. Militants mounted the attack with heavy weapons and explosives, starting six hours of intense fighting with security forces.
Seven cops were martyred while 13 others injured in the attack, official sources said. The militants tried to breach the main gate with a truck bomb, but quick-acting police officers prevented them from infiltrating the compound. The facility contained over 200 trainees at the time of the attack, and security staff were able to make a rapid exit with most them during the assault.
Security forces arrived soon and began crossfire at the area. After hours of fighting, officials said six militants had been killed and that others escaped under the cover of darkness. The attackers were found with weapons, explosives and suicide vests.
Also Read:
The Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, lauded the bravery and promptness of the police response. and said their sacrifice was “a testament to Pakistan’s commitment to combatting terrorism.” He said the perpetrators of attack will be “brought to justice at any cost.”
The assault is thought to be connected to the presence of extremist groups active on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Who have been using terrorist tactics more and more over recent months. But despite relentless counterterrorism operations, such groups continue to strike its police and security forces.
This latest attack has brought to the fore security concerns in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where police are on red alert. The government has promised to enhance intelligence-gathering and cooperation among security forces to curb attacks. As Pakistan grieves for its martyred officers. The country is united in its fight against terrorism and continues to litigate peace, stability, and the security of its people.
