Islamabad (Web Desk): President Dr Arif Alvi and Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Tuesday strongly denounced the terrorist attack on security forces in Dera Ismail Khan.
In a statement, President Dr Arif Alvi said that such cowardly acts cannot shake the resolve of our security personnel. He said sacrifices of martyrs will not go in vain.
The president commiserated with the bereaved families.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has strongly condemned the terrorist attack on security forces in Daraban area of Dera Ismail Khan.
In a statement, he said that the security forces cannot be demoralised by such cowardly acts.
"The entire nation salutes the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the war against terrorism," PM Kakar said.
Commiserating with the bereaved families, he prayed for the departed souls.
The prime minister directed to provide every possible medical treatment to those injured in the attack.
Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfaraz Bugti strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the police station in Dera Ismail Khan
In a statement, the minister expressed deep sorrow and regret over the martyrdom of the soldiers in the terrorist attack and prayed for the high status of martyrs.
The minister said that the government stands with the families of the martyrs at the time of grief.
He vowed that the terrorists can never succeed in their nefarious aims and the entire nation stands with the security forces in the war against terrorism.
"Martyrs are our real heroes, their great sacrifices will not go in vain," the interior minister said, adding that the whole world recognises the eternal sacrifices of the security forces in the war against terrorism.
At least 23 soldiers were martyred after a group of terrorists attacked a security forces’ checkpost in Dera Ismail Khan’s Daraban area, the military’s media affairs wing said on Tuesday.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), six terrorists attacked the security post in the early hours of December 12.
The statement said that the attempt to enter the post was effectively thwarted which forced the terrorists to ram an explosive laden vehicle into the post, followed by a suicide bombing attack.
"The resulting blasts led to the collapse of the building, causing multiple causalities; 23 brave soldiers embraced shahadat, while all six terrorists were effectively engaged and sent to hell," the ISPR said.
Separately, the ISPR stated that 27 terrorists were killed during various operations in Dera Ismail Khan.
As per the statement, an intelligence based operation (IBO) was conducted in general area Darazinda on reported presence of terrorists.
"During the conduct of operation, terrorists' hideout was busted and 17 terrorists were sent to hell," the military's media wing said.
In another IBO in general area Kulachi, own troops effectively engaged terrorists' location as a result of which four terrorists were sent to hell. However, after intense exchange of fire, two brave sons of soil, having fought gallantly, embraced shahadat.
"The killed terrorists were actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against security forces as well as killing of innocent civilians. Weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered during the operations," the statement said.
It added that sanitization operations were being conducted to eliminate any other terrorist present in the area.
"Security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthens our resolve," the ISPR said.
