Blast targeting police van kills 6, injures 22 in DI Khan

A blast targeting a police van killed six people and injured 22 in Tank Adda area of ​​Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), caretaker Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Firdous Jamal Shah said on Friday.

The blast took place in the city near a police van, injuring 22 people who were taken to a nearby hospital. Some of the injured are in critical condition.

According to law enforcement officials, gunshots were also heard after the explosion.

The minister also said there were two police officers among the 22 and said he was saddened by the news.

“The elements involved in the explosion and terrorism will be brought to justice,” the minister assured.

Last month, two blasts took place in KP and Balochistan, killing dozens of people on the day of Eid Miladun Nabi – the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The explosion in KP’s Hangu, which occurred during Friday’s sermon, killed five people and injured 12.

Hangu district police officer Nisar Ahmed said two suicide bombers were involved in the attack: one targeted the police station gate and the other blew himself up inside the mosque.

Moreover, two policemen were also injured in the firing, law enforcement officials said, adding that the other militant blew himself up inside the mosque.

Earlier in the day, a suicide bombing in Balochistan’s Mastung district killed at least 35 people, including a police officer, while more than 45 were injured.

Over the past year, Pakistan has been plagued by a wave of terror attacks, with Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in particular under the radar of militants who target security forces and civilians to worsen peace.

However, security forces continue to conduct operations against terrorists to eliminate terrorism from the country, in its resolve to increase the sacrifices of its soldiers.

A report prepared by the Pakistan Institute of Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) noted a sharp increase in militant attacks across the country in August, with 99 terror incidents reported.

According to the report, this was the highest number in any month since November 2014. These attacks have resulted in 112 deaths and 87 injuries, mainly targeting security force personnel and civilians.