DERA ISLAMIL KHAN: At least six individuals were killed, and 20 sustained injuries in an explosion targeting a police van in Dera Ismail Khan, as confirmed by Firdous Jamal Shah, the Caretaker Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister, on Friday.
According to law enforcement authorities, gunshots were also reported subsequent to the detonation.
The incident occurred near a police van in the city’s Tank Adda area, resulting in injuries to 22 individuals, who are currently being transferred to a nearby hospital, with some in critical condition.
The minister also expressed his condolences, highlighting that among the 22 casualties were two policemen.
The minister pledged, “Those responsible for the explosion and acts of terrorism will be held accountable.”
In the preceding month, two separate incidents of explosions took place in KP and Balochistan, resulting in numerous casualties on the occasion of Eid Miladun Nabi, the celebration of the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
In KP’s Hangu, the blast occurred during a Friday sermon, resulting in the deaths of five individuals and injuries to 12 more. Hangu District Police Officer Nisar Ahmed disclosed that two suicide bombers were implicated in the attack, with one targeting the police station gate and the other detonating himself inside a mosque. Additionally, two policemen sustained injuries during the ensuing exchange of fire.
Earlier in the day, a suicide explosion in Balochistan’s Mastung district claimed the lives of at least 35 people, including a police officer, and left over 45 people injured.
Pakistan has been grappling with a surge in terror attacks over the past year, with Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa being particularly targeted by militants aiming to disrupt peace and security. Despite these challenges, security forces persist in their efforts to combat terrorism and honor the sacrifices made by their personnel.
A report compiled by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) revealed a significant rise in militant attacks across the country in August, with 99 reported incidents of terror. This marked the highest number recorded in any single month since November 2014 and resulted in 112 fatalities and 87 injuries, predominantly among security forces and civilians.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
