Pakistan police station devastated: 23 dead as Taliban offshoot detonates 265‑pound car bomb in Daraban
The attack's responsibility was claimed by the newly formed group, Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan, considered an offshoot of the Pakistani Taliban, according to a report by the Associated Press. The target was the Daraban police station in Dera Ismail Khan, a city nestled in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan. This region is a known former stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban.
4:26 PM EST, December 13, 2023
The suicide bomber detonated the explosives-laden vehicle at the police station's main gate, shattering the early Tuesday morning calm. The military and local police reported the involvement of six other assailants in the horrifying incident that culminated in a prolonged shootout. All six assailants were confirmed dead following the encounter.
Reports from Pakistani authorities confirmed the death of at least 23 law enforcement officers, with an additional 32 suffering injuries. The attack also resulted in significant structural damage, causing a portion of the police station to collapse and destroying nearby businesses and shops. It was later confirmed on Wednesday that the suicide bomber used 265 pounds of explosives by driving a vehicle into the police station's main gate.
Arif Alvi, Pakistan's President, condemned the attack, providing his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. He stated, "Their sacrifice will not be in vain," adding that such acts of aggression would fail to weaken the determination of the security services.
