Lahore: In a devastating suicide bombing, at least eight people lost their lives, including six security personnel, when a police checkpoint in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province was targeted Saturday. The blast, which took place at the Aslam check post in the Mir Ali tehsil of North Waziristan, was carried out by attackers arriving on three-wheelers who struck both the checkpoint and nearby security vehicles. Following the explosion, those injured were rushed to Miranshah Hospital, where many remain in critical condition, raising concerns that the death toll could increase.
Among the deceased are four police officers, two soldiers, and two civilians, underscoring the vulnerability of both law enforcement and the local population in this volatile region. The North Waziristan tribal district, situated along the Afghan border, has seen a significant rise in terror activities since the Taliban’s return to power in neighboring Afghanistan in 2021.
This tragic attack comes amid a troubling escalation in violence across Pakistan, particularly concentrated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Just this month, counter-terrorism operations conducted in North Waziristan resulted in the elimination of nearly a dozen militants as security forces continue to combat rising insurgency threats.
Data from the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) reveals that violence in Pakistan has surged by 90% in recent months, with 2024’s third quarter marking a significant spike in deaths tied to terrorist violence and security operations. With a staggering 722 fatalities recorded across the first nine months of the year surpassing the total deaths in 2023 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan account for 97% of these casualties, marking the highest concentration of violence in over a decade.
As Pakistan grapples with escalating terror threats and cross-border challenges, the government faces growing pressure to bolster security measures and pursue stability in these conflict-ridden areas.
