23 soldiers martyred in a terrorist attack in DI Khan: ISPR

At least 23 soldiers of the Pakistan army were martyred after militants attacked a checkpost with an explosive-laden truck in Khyber-Paktunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan district, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Tuesday.

The ISPR added that the terrorists rammed the truck after their attempts to gain entry were “effectively thwarted”.
“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 casualties; 23 brave soldiers embraced shahadat, while all six terrorists were effectively engaged and sent to hell,” the ISPR said.

It added that sanitisation 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.

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

Tragedy strikes as a suicide attack claims the lives of three security personnel and leaves 12 others injured in Dera Ismail Khan, K-P. The district has witnessed a surge in terror incidents, with businesses and schools closed in response.#etribune #news #latest #DeraIsmailKhan pic.twitter.com/OJexCDQdjq

— The Express Tribune (@etribune) December 12, 2023

️ The ISPR further stated that two soldiers embraced martyrdom while four more terrorists were neutralised in another IBO 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.

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.