23 soldiers killed in attack on checkpost in Pakistan

Twenty-three Pakistan Army soldiers were killed in an attack by terrorists on a security forces’ checkpost in Ismail Khan’s Daraban area, the military’s media affairs wing said on Tuesday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), six terrorists attacked the security post in the early hours of December 12.

“The attempt to enter the post was effectively thwarted which forced the terrorists to ram an explosive laden vehicle into the post, followed by a suicide bombing attack.

“The resulting blasts led to the collapse of the building, causing multiple causalities; 23 brave soldiers embraced shahadat, while all six terrorists were effectively engaged and sent to hell,” the ISPR said.

It added that clearance operations were being conducted to eliminate any other terrorists present in the area. “Security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthens our resolve,” the ISPR said.

Separately, 17 terrorists were killed in an intelligence-based operation in the Darazinda area of Dera Ismail Khan on the night of Dec 11 and Dec 12.

“During the conduct of operation, terrorists’ hideout was busted and 17 terrorists were sent to hell,” the military’s media affairs wing said.

️The ISPR further stated that two soldiers were killed while four more terrorists were neutralised in another operation in the Kulachi area.

“️The killed terrorists were actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against security forces as well as killing of innocent civilians. Weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered during the operations,” it added.

Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan, a new group affiliated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), claimed responsibility for the attack, Dawn News reported.

This is the military’s highest single-day death toll from terrorist attacks reported this year. Before this, 12 soldiers were martyred in separate military operations in the Zhob and Sui areas of Balochistan in July.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), caretaker Interior Minister Sarfaraz Bugti condemned the “terrorist attack on the police station” and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed sorrow over the loss of lives in the incident, condemning the attacks on both civilians and security forces as unforgivable.

Former president Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the attack, emphasising the need to eradicate the menace of terrorism.

Pakistan has witnessed an uptick in terror activities in recent months, especially in KP and Balochistan, after the TTP ended its ceasefire with the government in November last year.