Suicide attack in Pakistan kills 12, injures 30 as militant violence escalates: Pakistani Taliban claim responsibility | Today’s news
A suicide bomber attacked a police checkpoint in northwestern Pakistan on September 26. At least 12 people were killed, PTI reported. AP put the number at 11. About 18 to 30 people were injured. The attacker belonged to the banned militant group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.
The Pakistani Taliban (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack. It is separate from, but closely related to, the Afghan Taliban. The Afghan Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021.
The incident happened in Darazinda tehsil, Dera Ismail Khan district. This area lies close to the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
The bomber drove a tractor-trailer loaded with explosives into the checkpoint. Regional police officer Khan Mubashir Malik confirmed this detail, PTI reported.
The check post was called Aman Mela police post. Among those killed were two customs officials and excise officials. Most of the other victims were security personnel and bystanders, the AP reported, citing local police chief Safdar Baloch.
The injured were taken to the district hospital. The bodies of the deceased were also transported there. Bomb disposal teams then arrived at the scene. They are checking what explosives were used.
Security forces cordoned off the entire area. A search operation began immediately after the attack. The incident is still under investigation.
Similar attacks on security forces are not new. In December 2023, a similar bombing occurred nearby. This attack killed at least 23 members of the security forces. It remains one of the deadliest attacks in the region. A smaller militant group claimed responsibility for the previous attack.
Pakistan often accuses Afghanistan of harboring TTP fighters. Officials are demanding that Kabul stop cross-border attacks on Pakistan. Afghan authorities deny that they allow such activities on their territory.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has faced constant unrest for years. Militant violence and cross-border militant movements fuel this problem. The Pakistan Army has conducted repeated operations there. The TTP ended a ceasefire with the government in November 2022. Attacks in the province have since increased sharply.
Clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan
This attack came two days after the border fighting. Pakistan and Afghanistan have clashed along their southwestern border. At least 13 Afghan Taliban fighters were killed there. This happened after Pakistani strikes on Afghan territory this week.
Tensions between the two neighbors continue to escalate. This threatens ongoing efforts to mediate peace. China, Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are also involved in ongoing talks. They hope to ensure lasting peace between the two countries.
Dera Ismail Khan sits near South Waziristan. This area was once a militant stronghold. The Pakistani army has operated here several times.
Pakistan continues to face increasing militant violence. Both TTP and Baloch Liberation Army are active. The BLA operates mainly in Baluchistan province on its own.
(With inputs from PTI and AP)
