In a recent escalation of militant violence in Peshawar, Pakistan, on the ominous Tuesday of December 12th, a suicide bomber unleashed a devastating assault on a Pakistan army base. The appalling aftermath witnessed the tragic loss of 23 lives, with an additional 27 individuals left grievously wounded, casting a foreboding shadow of unrest across a nation already struggling with economic turmoil.
This heinous act transpired near the Afghan border, specifically targeting a base in the Dera Ismail Khan district of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province during the early hours of the morning. The malevolent strike was executed through an explosive-laden suicide vehicle, which collided with a school building repurposed as a makeshift military base. The resulting impact led to the catastrophic collapse of the structure, inflicting severe injuries on 27 individuals and claiming the lives of 23, including the assailants. As they were killed while sleeping, it proved difficult to determine whether the deceased individuals were military generals or not. The chilling assault commenced at approximately 2:30 AM, characterized by a brutal "martyrdom attack" that unfolded with soldiers being ruthlessly targeted and eliminated one by one.
Attributed to Tehrik-e-Jihad, a recently formed group aligned with the Pakistani Taliban, the attack has intensified the long-standing and perilous struggle between the Taliban and the Pakistani government, a conflict spanning over a decade. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, in particular, stands as the foremost and gravest threat to the stability and security of Pakistan.
This tragic incident has led to a deterioration in relations between Islamabad and the Taliban rulers in Kabul, Afghanistan. According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, there has been an alarming 80% increase in attacks in the first half of 2023 compared to the previous year.
In response, a protest unfolded on that fateful Tuesday, prompted by Pakistan's foreign ministry summoning a representative appointed by the Taliban in Kabul to Dera Ismail Khan. During the meeting, Pakistan urged the Afghan Taliban to demonstrate "verifiable actions against terrorist groups and their sanctuaries." Notably, the Pakistani army conducted various operations in this army-run school following the tragic attack in 2014, which claimed 150 casualties, predominantly innocent children.
President Arif Alvi of Pakistan expressed profound grief and offered condolences to the families of the valiant soldiers, assuring that their sacrifices would not be in vain. He emphasized that such attacks would not weaken the resolve of the security forces. The Prime Minister also paid homage to the martyrs, acknowledging their sacrifices in the ongoing fight against terrorism.
