DERA ISMAIL KHAN: At least 15 security personnel and a government official were martyred after terrorists belonging to the “Indian-sponsored Fitna al Khwarij” attacked a joint police check post in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Tank district late Thursday night, the military’s media wing reported on Friday.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the attackers attempted to breach the security of the joint check post but were repelled by security forces, who “swiftly and decisively foiled” the assault. It added troops pursued the fleeing attackers and “displaying unwavering courage and professional excellence”, killed 12 terrorists during the ensuing operation.
The statement said the attackers then rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the perimeter wall of the check post, causing a powerful blast that severely damaged the facility. It stated that 15 personnel embraced martyrdom in the attack, including 12 military personnel, two police officers and one government official from the Forest Department.
The ISPR said that a sanitisation operation was under way to eliminate any remaining militants in the area. “The relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ by the security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country,” the statement read.
It added that the sacrifices of the fallen personnel “further reinforce our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our nation at all costs.”
Following the attack, Tank Deputy Commissioner Jamshed Khan imposed Section 144 across the district and announced a district-wide curfew in view of the prevailing security situation. Under the order, movement has been restricted from 6am to 6pm until further notice.
Dabara to Tank Bypass, including Boltan Abad, Gharah Patthar and Gharah Hayat, Tank Bypass–Ranwal–Manji Khel–Bhagwal road and Ranwal Adda, will remain completely closed during the restricted hours.
The notification exempts law enforcement agencies, rescue services, ambulances, fire brigade and other emergency services from the restrictions. Authorities have urged residents to cooperate with security personnel and avoid unnecessary travel.
Meanwhile, K-P Governor Faisal Karim Kundi took notice of the incident and sought a report from the relevant authorities.
Condemning the attack, he described it as “a malicious act by India-backed khawarij” and expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of security personnel, saying the entire nation stood with the families of the martyrs in their grief.
Police said the clearance operation remained underway and that further details regarding the attack and any additional casualties will be released after the operation is completed.
PM, Naqvi condemn Tank attack
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the terrorist attack, paying tribute to the security personnel and other officials who were killed while repelling the assault.
The prime minister praised the timely, courageous and professional response of the security forces, saying they had foiled the attack and killed 12 Khawarij while expressing deep grief over the martyrdom of 12 Pakistan Army soldiers, two police personnel and an official of the Forest Department in the incident.
“We will not rest until terrorism is eliminated from the soil of Pakistan,” he said.
The premier added that the security forces and law enforcement agencies would continue their operations with full force to rid the country of the menace.
Separately, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi paid tribute to the 15 personnel who embraced martyrdom in Tank.
“The brave personnel of the security forces and police sacrificed their lives to crush the evil intentions of the Khawarij,” Naqvi said, adding that the brave sons of the soil sent 12 Khawarij to hell.
Calling the martyrs the pride of the nation, the interior minister said they were “the crown on our heads”.
“The sacrifices of the martyrs are proof of our unwavering resolve against terrorism,” he said while adding that their sacrifices will always be remembered.