A suicide bomb attack on a security facility in Pakistan’s northwest region killed 23 soldiers, the police and military said, raising security concerns weeks before the national elections.
The bomber early Tuesday morning smashed an explosive-laden vehicle into the installation in Dera Ismail Khan where police officials and troops were living, Anisul Hassan, deputy superintendent of police, said on phone. The attack wounded 25 people, he said.
The increasing terrorist attacks in the South Asian country are raising concerns about security before polls scheduled on February 8.
A number of politicians including former President Asif Ali Zardari, who is bidding to bring his Pakistan Peoples Party into power for a fifth time, have publicly said they want improved security as they are unable to hold public rallies and meetings.
Terrorist incidents increased 37 percent to 862 in 2023 compared with the previous year, according to the South Asia Terrorism Portal.
“A group of six terrorists attacked a security forces’ post,” the army’s media wing said in a statement. “The attempt to enter the post was effectively thwarted, which forced the terrorists to ram an explosive-laden vehicle into the post.”
All six attackers were killed, the army said.
Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan, an affiliate of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the attack, according to a statement by the militant group on WhatsApp.
