Police foil major terrorist attack

INTERNATIONAL BUREAU —Unidentified terrorists launched a major attack on the Band Korai police station in Paharpur tehsil in Dera Ismail Khan late Wednesday night, using a Suzuki van packed with explosives, but were prevented from entering the facility due to the police's timely and robust response before fleeing into the darkness.

The assault occurred at approximately 2 am when the attackers detonated the remote-controlled vehicle-borne improvised explosive device near the station's main gate. The powerful blast damaged the gate, a nearby mosque, boundary walls and parts of the building. Initial reports suggest 600 to 800 kilograms of explosive material may have been used, though official confirmation is still awaited.

Immediately after the explosion, a prolonged and intense exchange of fire erupted between the terrorists and police personnel. The attackers also fired mortar shells, which fortunately failed to detonate. Displaying courage under fire, police officers successfully blocked the militants from storming the station.

SP Paharpur, DSP City Hafiz Muhammad Adnan and SP CTD Muhammad Iftikhar Shah quickly reached the site with reinforcements and supervised the operation. Taking advantage of the darkness and dense forest cover, the terrorists managed to escape.