A suicide attack struck a military convoy on Thursday in Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan, leaving two soldiers dead and at least 22 personnel injured.
The incident occurred on Tank Road within the jurisdiction of the Hathala police station. According to police reports, a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vehicle as the convoy travelled from Dera Ismail Khan towards Tank. The blast tragically resulted in the immediate deaths of two soldiers and injuries to nearly two dozen others.
Security forces responded swiftly, with large contingents of police and military personnel securing the area around the attack site. Emergency medical teams arrived on the scene and transported the deceased soldiers and injured personnel to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dera Ismail Khan.
Dawn editorial on Gwadar attack
A recent attack on the Gwadar Port Authority Complex by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) highlights the ongoing challenge of militancy in Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan. This attack comes on the heels of another major incident in North Waziristan.
Key Points:
The BLA, a banned separatist group, claimed responsibility for the Gwadar attack.
At least eight militants were killed, but two soldiers lost their lives.
This is not the first time Gwadar, a key port city in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, has been targeted.
Security concerns remain high, especially for Chinese interests in the region.
The attack exposes weaknesses in security measures despite Gwadar being under heavy security due to CPEC. The possibility of a possible link between Baloch separatists and other militant groups like the TTP, potentially aided by external forces, cannot be discounted.
The government needs a robust response that addresses both security and socio-economic issues in Balochistan. Poverty, lack of development, and human rights violations like disappearances are seen as factors fueling separatism. Investment needs to benefit the local population, and grievances must be addressed to prevent foreign actors from exploiting the situation.
Overall, the article emphasizes the need for a multi-pronged approach to tackle the complex issue of militancy in Balochistan.
March 22, 2024
Source: Dawn