Militant Attack on Pakistani Army Base Kills 23
On Tuesday militants targeted a police compound in the Dera Ismail Khan district of Pakistan, near the Afghan border, claiming the lives of at least 23 soldiers and injuring dozens.
The assault involved a coordinated effort by a six-man suicide squad, using a truck containing explosives to breach the compound's defenses.
Affiliated with the recently emerged Tahreek-e-Jihad Pakistan (TJP), the attackers initially tried to infiltrate the compound but faced resistance from the army. Failing in their first attempt, they resorted to a more drastic measure.
A military statement reported, "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 explosions not only caused significant casualties but also led to the collapse of the compound building. Authorities are concerned that stored ammunition inside may have contributed to the scale of the devastation.
The assault comes less than two months before the scheduled national elections on February 8, 2024, raising concerns about holding the polls amid heightened security risks in the northwest and southwest regions
