On Tuesday, December 12, a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vehicle at the main gate of a police station in northwest Pakistan, causing significant casualties and structural damage. The incident resulted in the deaths of at least 23 security officers and injuries to 32 others, with the toll expected to rise as several officers remain in critical condition.

The attack occurred in the city of Dera Ismail Khan in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan. This region has historically been associated with the militant group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The assailants, identified as members of Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan (TJP), a faction believed to be derived from TTP, claimed responsibility for the attack. Their stated objective was targeting officers stationed at the site.

Following the initial bombing, a severe gunfight ensued. Six militants engaged in combat with security forces, leading to a prolonged confrontation that lasted several hours. The military reported that, in addition to neutralizing these attackers, 27 insurgents were killed in coordinated operations within the same region.

The targeted Daraban police station was a hub for security forces from various parts of the country. These forces were engaged in intelligence operations against militants, collaborating closely with local police units.

In response to the attack, Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi and caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti expressed their condemnation. President Alvi extended condolences to the families of the deceased officers and emphasized the unwavering resolve of the security forces. Minister Bugti labeled the event as an act of terrorism.

This incident is part of an increasing trend of militant violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Earlier this year, a suicide bomber disguised as a policeman attacked a mosque in Peshawar, resulting in the deaths of at least 101 individuals, predominantly police officers. The surge in attacks has been attributed to the Pakistani Taliban, who have reportedly grown more audacious since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.

Dera Ismail Khan’s proximity to South Waziristan, a historical haven for militants, is notable. Following a devastating attack on an army-run school in 2014, which claimed over 150 lives, mostly children, the Pakistan army has been actively conducting operations against militants in the area.