25 soldiers martyred, 27 terrorists killed in suicide-and-gun attack, operations in DI Khan

In a flurry of terrorist attacks in Dera Ismail Khan including a suicide bombing of a security forces camp, 25 soldiers were martyred and 27 militants were killed on Tuesday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

According to a statement issued by the ISPR, an intelligence-based operation was conducted in the general area Darazinda on the reported presence of terrorists. During the conduct of the operation, terrorists' hideout was busted and 17 terrorists were sent to hell.

In another intelligence-based operation in the general area of Kulachi, own troops effectively engaged terrorists’ location as a result of which four terrorists were sent to hell. However, after intense exchange of fire, two brave sons of the soil, having fought gallantly, embraced Shahadat.

The killed terrorists were actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against security forces as well as the killing of innocent civilians. Weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered during the operations.

In early hours of Tuesday, a group of six terrorists attacked a security forces' post in general area Daraban. The attempt to enter the post was effectively thwarted which forced the terrorists to ram an explosives-laden vehicle into the post, followed by a suicide bombing attack.

The resulting blasts led to the collapse of the building, causing multiple casualties; 23 brave soldiers embraced shahadat, while all six terrorists were effectively engaged and sent to hell.

Sanitization operations were conducted to eliminate any other terrorist present in the area, as security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthens our resolve.

AFP adds: According to a local official who spoke on condition of anonymity: "Many of the soldiers were killed while they were sleeping and in civilian clothes so we are still determining if they are all military personnel."

An additional 27 people were wounded when the explosives-laden suicide vehicle detonated at the building, he said and added three rooms had collapsed and efforts were underway to pull bodies from the ruins, with fears the toll could rise further still.

Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan -- a new group affiliated with the Pakistan Taliban -- said the assault began around 2:30 am with a "martyrdom attack" by one fighter before others stormed the compound.

Pakistan has witnessed a dramatic spike in militant attacks, mainly in its border regions with Afghanistan, since the Taliban returned to power there in 2021.

Asif Zardari condemns terror attack

Former president Asif Ali Zardari has strongly condemned the attack by militants on a police station in Dera Ismael Khan.

He has expressed his sympathies with the families of the security forces personnel martyred in the attack.

He has said that such acts would not shake the confidence of the law-enforcement agencies to take on militancy. 

The former president has also stressed the need for eliminating nurseries of militants so that the problem could be addressed right at the start.

Reporter Ahmad Mansoor