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NEW DELHI: At least 23 soldiers were killed and many injured on Tuesday when terrorists with links to Pakistani Taliban rammed an explosive-laden truck into a security forces’ post in restive Khyber-Paktunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan district.
According to reports, as many as six suicide-bombers stormed the security compound of the Daraban police station of the unruly Dera Ismail Khan district bordering the South Waziristan tribal district, bordering Afghanistan.
The terrorists drove an explosive-laden vehicle right into the building and followed it up with a suicide bombing attack.
Pakistan-based Dawn reported that blasts led to the collapse of the entire building, causing multiple causalities.
The premises was reportedly being used by the Pakistani army as a base camp, according to a Reuters report.
The Tehrik-e-Jihad Pakistan (TJP), a terror group linked to Pakistan Taliban, was behind the latest attack on Pakistani security forces. TJP spokesperson Mullah Qasim termed the attack a “suicide mission” (Fidayein).
All the attackers were killed by the security forces while fresh contingents of police were rushed to the site, and a subsequent search operation was launched, official sources said.
An emergency was declared in district hospitals while all schools and colleges were closed due to the attack.
Groups affiliated to Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan have stepped up attacks on Pakistani security forces over the last year after ending a ceasefire deal.
The attacks, targeting army and police personnel, have risen drastically after the Taliban seized power in Kabul.
On November 4, the TJP militants attacked the Pakistan Air Force’s Mianwali Training Air Base, some 300 km from Lahore, damaging three grounded aircraft.
All the attackers were killed in the army operation, which came a day after 17 soldiers were killed in three separate terror strikes in the country.
In July this year, the TJP militants attacked Zhob Garrison in the restive Balochistan province, killing four soldiers and wounding five others.
(With inputs from agencies)