In a distressing sequence of events, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province has been rocked by a string of terrorist attacks, escalating tensions and leaving a trail of casualties. The latest assaults, occurring within days of each other, have not only claimed the lives of Police personnel but have also heightened concerns about the region’s security and stability.
On Friday, two separate attacks targeted Police in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. At the Nala Joint Post, terrorists unleashed a barrage of heavy weapons, including hand grenades, resulting in the death of two police personnel. Seven others sustained injuries in the assault but were swiftly moved to medical facilities, where their condition is reported to be stable.
Simultaneously, another attack in the Tank district claimed the lives of two policemen, while three others sustained injuries. The assailants engaged in a confrontation with the police, leading to the death of one terrorist. As authorities initiate a search operation in the area, a little-known militant group named Ansarul Islam purportedly claimed responsibility for this attack, although the claim’s authenticity remains unverified by the police.
Earlier attack in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
These recent assaults follow closely on the heels of a devastating suicide bombing earlier in the week in Dera Ismail Khan. This attack resulted in the tragic loss of 23 army personnel, marking one of the deadliest strikes against Pakistan military this year. Tehreek-e-Jihad (TJP), affiliated with Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP), claimed responsibility for this attack, further exacerbating security concerns in the region.
In response to the TJP attack, Pakistan had called upon Afghanistan, specifically summoning the Chargé d’Affaires in Islamabad, to strongly address the matter. Foreign Secretary Syrus Sajjad Qazi emphasized the need for swift action and investigation by the Taliban government in Afghanistan. The Afghan Taliban government, in turn, had promised an inquiry into the attack, urging Pakistan to avoid implicating Kabul for all issues while emphasizing the need for enhanced security measures.