At least 14 martyred in suspected suicide attack in K-P’s Tank | The Express Tribune

At least 13 security personnel and a civilian were martyred in a suspected suicide attack on the Manji Khel police check post on the Tank-Dera Ismail Khan Road in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa late Thursday night, Dera Ismail Khan Counter-Terrorism Department Superintendent of Police Iftikhar Ali Shah confirmed to The Express Tribune.

More than a dozen others were injured in the attack. Authorities imposed Section 144 and a district-wide curfew as security forces continued clearance operations.

According to Shah, the deceased included 11 army personnel, two police officers and a civilian who worked with the security forces. The injured were shifted to nearby hospitals, where an emergency has been declared.

Initial reports said an explosives-laden vehicle rammed into the Manji Khel check post, triggering a powerful explosion. Heavy gunfire then erupted between the attackers and security personnel.

Police said a heavy contingent of law enforcement personnel, security forces and rescue teams reached the scene after the attack, cordoned off the area and launched a clearance operation that continued through the night and into Friday. Additional troops were deployed, and security was placed on high alert.

Earlier, Tank District Police Officer Abdul Samad had said it was not immediately possible to confirm the extent of the casualties due to darkness, adding that a clearer picture would emerge once the operation was completed and the area had been secured.

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Following the attack, Tank Deputy Commissioner Jamshed Khan imposed Section 144 across the district and announced a district-wide curfew in view of the prevailing security situation. Under the order, movement has been restricted from 6am to 6pm until further notice.

Dabara to Tank Bypass, including Boltan Abad, Gharah Patthar and Gharah Hayat, Tank Bypass–Ranwal–Manji Khel–Bhagwal road and Ranwal Adda, will remain completely closed during the restricted hours.

The notification exempts law enforcement agencies, rescue services, ambulances, fire brigade and other emergency services from the restrictions. Authorities have urged residents to cooperate with security personnel and avoid unnecessary travel.

Meanwhile, K-P 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 India-backed khawarij” and expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of security personnel, saying the entire nation stood with the families of the martyrs in their grief.

Police said the clearance operation remained underway and that further details regarding the attack and any additional casualties will be released after the operation is completed.