Five Pakistani security personnel were killed and several others injured in two separate incidents, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast in Dera Ismail Khan and a militant attack on a police checkpoint in Shangla district, of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, according to some policemen posted in the area.
In the first incident, an improvised explosive device (IED) targeted a security forces’ vehicle in the Zarkani area of Daraban tehsil in Dera Ismail Khan. Three personnel were killed and two others were injured in the incident, according to a Dawn report. The incident clearly indicates that the Tehrik Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have gained an upper hand in many areas of the province.
The soldiers killed in the incident were identified as Ashfaq, Mukhtiar Wali and Arif, while Farzand and Sami sustained injuries. The injured were transported to Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Dera Ismail Khan. Following the blast, a heavy contingent of police and security forces arrived at the scene and started rescue and search operations.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, did not immediately confirm the incident.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi condemned the attack, stating that the security situation in the province was alarming. He also criticised the provincial government’s alleged inaction, alleging that the administration remained a mere spectator. The criticism was targeted at KP Chief Minister Ali Aman Gandpur, a staunch loyalist of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Kundi is from Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) of Bilawal Zardari Bhutto and ill-disposed towards Gandapur. A couple of months ago, there were unconfirmed reports that the Federal government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was toying with the idea of dismissing Gandapur’s government.
In a statement, the governor termed the attack on the security forces’ vehicle a conspiracy by elements against Pakistan, Islam and humanity. He also prayed for the swift recovery of the injured personnel.
In the second incident, armed gunmen stormed a police checkpoint in the Gunangar area of Chakesar tehsil, Shangla district, in the early hours of December 17, killing two personnel, including an ASI, and injuring three others. Shangla District Police Officer (DPO) Imran Khan said the militants launched a coordinated attack with heavy weapons, including rocket shells and hand grenades, targeting the remote checkpoint near the Indus River.
Constable Nisar Ahmed was killed on the spot, while ASI Muhammad Hassan succumbed to his injuries at Battagram Hospital. The injured were identified as Arshad Iqbal, Arshad Ali and Rafatullah.
DPO Imran Khan said that one militant was also injured in retaliatory fire but managed to escape into nearby mountains, leaving blood stains along the route.
The funeral prayers for the martyred personnel were offered at Shangla Police Lines and attended by senior officials, including Deputy Commissioner Fawad Ahmed, MPA Mohammad Rashad Khan and former senator Maulana Rahat Hussain. A police contingent presented a salute as a mark of respect for their sacrifice.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police (IGP) Akhtar Hayat Khan praised the bravery of the personnel, vowing that their sacrifices would not go in vain. “Terrorists involved in the attack will be arrested and brought to justice soon,” he said.
Meanwhile, a policeman was killed and two health workers were injured in attacks targeting polio vaccinators in Karak and Bannu districts on Monday. The last polio vaccination campaign of the year kicked off on Monday under the shadow of the rampant virus, which has so far crippled 63 children in 2024.
Constable Irfanullah, a resident of Gurgari area, was killed in the attack while a vaccinator, identified as Asad Nawaz, a resident of Chasmi Kotkhel, sustained bullet injuries, officials said. The body of the slain cop and the injured vaccinator were rushed to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, from where the injured polio worker was referred to a hospital in Peshawar for treatment.
According to reports in a section of the media, polio vaccination which had started on Monday only after a long time, has been stopped again for at least a fortnight. This has been done due to fears of more attacks on vaccinators and their escort parties.
