Pakistan: Suicide bombing at army base leaves 23 dead
What's the story
At least 23 people died in a suicide bombing attack at a Pakistan Army base in the country's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Tuesday, AFP reported.
It took place in Tehsil Daraban of Dera Ismail Khan district, near Pakistan's border with Afghanistan, early on Tuesday. Terrorists linked to the Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.
An official said that many victims were asleep and dressed in civilian clothes, making it hard to confirm if they were military personnel.
Details
27 wounded, toll may rise as rescue efforts continue
The attack started at 2:30am on Tuesday when a bomb-laden suicide vehicle exploded at a school building serving as a temporary military base.
Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan, associated with the Pakistani Taliban or the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, reportedly claimed responsibility. It said the attack began with a "martyrdom attack" by a fighter, followed by others storming the compound.
Moreover, a shootout between six terrorists and the Pakistan Army ensued when they opened fire. It continued for hours, and all six were gunned down.
Details
Deadliest attack since January, 32 injured
In a statement, the Pakistani military stated that there were "multiple casualties" in the suicide bomb attack, which is being deemed the deadliest in the country since January.
Separately, AFP reported that all three rooms of the school-turned-army base where the attack occurred collapsed, and rescue efforts were ongoing to recover bodies from the wreckage.
At least 32 people were reportedly injured in the attack and were being treated for their wounds.
Taliban
What we know about Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan
The Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan (TJP) is reportedly believed to be a relatively new offshoot of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is reportedly a former TTP stronghold.
Notably, in recent weeks, a large number of security forces from across Pakistan have had a constant presence at the targeted Daraban facility.
It is believed that they were conducting intelligence-based operations against terrorists in the region.
Kyber-Pakhtunkhwa
Rise of terror attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, located in northwestern Pakistan, has witnessed a rise in terrorism-triggered violence in recent times.
Earlier in January, a suicide bomb blast at a mosque in Peshawar resulted in the death of over 100 people and left hundreds of others injured.
Notably, the targeted mosque is located in a high-security compound and includes the headquarters of provincial police forces and the counter-terrorism department.
Per local media, around around 400 police officers were offering prayers when the blast occurred.
Twitter Post
Pakistani President Arif Alvi condemns the attack
صدرمملکت ڈاکٹرعارف علوی کی ڈی آئی خان میں سیکیورٹی فورسز کی عمارت پر دہشت گردحملے کی شدید مذمت
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) December 12, 2023
شہداء کی قربانیاں رائیگاں نہیں جائیں گی، صدرمملکت
ایسی بزدلانہ کارروائیوں سے سیکیورٹی فورسز کے حوصلے پست نہیں کیےجاسکتے، صدرمملکت
صدرمملکت کا لواحقین سے اظہارہمدردی، صبرجمیل کی دعا