Among the deceased are 11 soldiers, two police officers and a civilian, CTD official confirms
At least 14 people were killed and more than a dozen injured in a suspected suicide attack on the Manji Khel police check post on the Tank-Dera Ismail Khan highway. PHOTO: EXPRESS
DERA ISMAIL KHAN:
At least 13 security personnel and one civilian were killed in a suspected suicide attack on the Manji Khel police check post on the Tank-Dera Ismail Khan highway in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday night, Superintendent of Police of Dera Ismail Khan Anti-Terrorism Department confirmed to Iftikhar Ali Shah. The express PAkGazette.
More than a dozen people were injured in the attack. Authorities imposed Section 144 and a district-wide curfew as security forces continued clearance operations.
According to Shah, the dead included 11 members of the army, two police officers and a civilian working with the security forces. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals, where an emergency was declared.
Initial reports said that an explosives-laden vehicle crashed into the Manji Khel checkpoint, triggering a powerful explosion. An intense shootout then ensued between the attackers and security personnel.
Police said a large contingent of law enforcement officers, security forces and rescue teams arrived at the scene after the attack, cordoned off the area and launched a mop-up operation that continued overnight and into Friday. Additional troops were deployed and security was put on high alert.
Earlier, Tank District Police Officer Abdul Samad had said it was not possible to immediately confirm the number of casualties due to darkness, adding that a clearer picture would emerge once the operation was completed and the area was secured.
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Following the attack, Deputy Commissioner of Tanks Jamshed Khan imposed Section 144 across the district and announced a district-wide curfew in view of the prevailing security situation. As per the order, movement has been restricted from 6 am to 6 pm until further notice.
From Dabara to Tank Bypass including Boltan Abad, Gharah Patthar and Gharah Hayat, Tank Bypass–Ranwal–Manji Khel–Bhagwal and Ranwal Adda road will remain completely closed during the restricted hours.
The notification exempts law enforcement, rescue services, ambulances, firefighters and other emergency services from restrictions. Authorities have urged residents to cooperate with security personnel and avoid unnecessary travel.
Meanwhile, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi took notice of the incident and sought a report from the relevant authorities.
Condemning the attack, he described it as “a malicious act by khawarij” and expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of the security personnel, saying that the entire nation stood with the families of the martyrs in their grief.
Police said the cleanup operation was still underway and that more details about the attack and any additional victims will be released once the operation is complete.
