At least 24 people were killed when militants rammed an explosive-laden truck into a police station in Khyber-Paktunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan district, two security officials said on Tuesday.
The police station was being used by security forces as a base camp, the officials said, adding that several militants first rammed the truck into its boundary wall, then others attacked with guns.
They feared military ammunition stored inside might have also exploded.
Several people were wounded and in critical condition, said Aizaz Mehmood, an official of the state-run rescue service.
“We are still hearing gunshots,” he added.
Read: Terrorist killed in DI Khan operation: ISPR
All bazaars and markets are closed in Daraban today, while all government and private educational institutions are also closed until further notice.
Condemnations
Interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar strongly condemned the terrorist attack on security forces in DI Khan and expressed condolences to the families of the martyred and injured, said a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Security forces can not be demoralised by such cowardly acts, said Kakar as he directed authorities to provide all possible medical assistance to those injured.
“The entire nation salutes the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the war against terrorism,” said the caretaker premier.
Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfaraz Ahmad Bugti also strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the security forces installation in DI Khan.
Expressing his heartfelt condolences, the interim minister conveyed his deep regret and distress over the martyrdom of security officials in the terrorist attack
Praying for the martyrs, Bugti said that we equally share the grief of their families
“The terrorists would never succeed in their heinous crimes,” Bugti stated and reiterated that the “entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the security forces in their war against terrorism”.
Hailing the martyrs as the real heroes, the interior minister said the sacrifices of the security forces would never go in vain.
He stated that the entire world recognises the unparalleled sacrifices of Pakistan’s security forces in the war against terrorism.
The district of DI Khan has seen an uptick in terror attacks in recent weeks.
Earlier, a bomb blast targeting police killed six people in the district. The bomb exploded close to the route of a police patrol in the city, said police official Mohammad Adnan.
Six people were killed and 21 injured in the blast, said rescue official Aizaz Mehmood, but he was not able to provide a break-up of police and civilians.
According to the preliminary investigation, a motorcycle installed with explosive materials was used in the blast. People who died in the blast were between the ages of 15 years to 20 years.
Additional reporting by Reuters
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