Shafaqna Pakistan: At least 14 civilians were injured in a suicide attack on Friday at the Chashma Sarbandi checkpost in North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, officials said.
Police reported that the blast targeted the checkpost on the Miranshah–Bannu Road. Four of the injured are in critical condition, according to Dr Asif Iqbal, medical superintendent of the Miranshah District Headquarters Hospital, who added that more victims were being brought in. No deaths had been confirmed at the time.
Muhammad Sohail Afridi, Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, condemned the attack and directed authorities to submit a detailed report, according to an official statement.
Afridi described the injuries suffered by civilians in the blast as deeply unfortunate and expressed concern over the incident.
He directed the relevant authorities to ensure the provision of the best possible medical facilities to the injured and stressed that no negligence should be shown in their treatment.
Afridi said cowardly acts of terrorism could not undermine the resolve of the government and the public. He reiterated that all necessary measures would continue to be taken to ensure the protection of the lives and property of citizens.
Pakistan witnessed a surge in terrorism last year, with the country recording an over 25 per cent increase in overall violence across its security landscape. At least 3,187 people were killed in violence-linked incidents arising from as many as 1,188 occurrences, including terrorist attacks and counterterrorism operations.
The wave of violence continued into the new year, with the worst episode occurring in January when terrorists launched coordinated attacks at multiple locations across Balochistan, particularly targeting civilians in Gwadar. At least 18 civilians were killed in the assaults. Security forces responded promptly, killing 92 militants in subsequent operations, while 15 security personnel were martyred during the fighting.
The violence reached the federal capital on Feb 6 when a suicide bomber blew himself up in Islamabad’s Tarlai area, killing more than 30 civilians and injuring dozens of others. The interior minister blamed militant groups for the attack.
Pakistan accused Afghanistan of facilitating the attackers and providing them safe havens. With no tangible response forthcoming, Islamabad decided to launch an operation against militant outfits and their facilitators across the border.
Last week, Pakistan carried out air strikes targeting camps of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State Khorasan Province inside Afghanistan following a fresh wave of attacks in Pakistan, including the Islamabad suicide bombing. Pakistani security sources said more than 80 militants were killed in the strikes.
Tensions between the two neighbours also surged after a series of explosions in Kabul on Oct 9 last year. Taliban forces subsequently targeted areas along Pakistan’s border, prompting Islamabad to respond with cross-border shelling. The exchanges caused casualties and infrastructure damage on both sides and led to the suspension of trade after border crossings were closed on Oct 12.
Source: Express Tribune
