Pakistan: At least 23 dead in attack on army base
The representative of the authorities went on to explain that the attack was directed at a school that had been converted into a makeshift military base. A vehicle loaded with explosives detonated in the school building. Three rooms collapsed. The rescue workers were in the process of recovering the bodies from the rubble, said the representative of the authorities.
Many of the victims were killed in their sleep. Many of them were wearing civilian clothes. "We are therefore still trying to determine whether they are all military personnel," he continued. At least 27 people were also injured. It is feared that the number of victims could rise even further.
The TJP group said that the "martyrdom attack" had begun at around half past two in the morning local time (22.30 CET). The Pakistani army initially did not comment on the incident.
Since the Taliban took power in neighboring Afghanistan in August 2021, suspected Islamist-motivated attacks and assaults have also increased sharply again in Pakistan. Several attacks by the Pakistani Taliban group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have mainly targeted police officers and other security forces in recent months.
According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies in Islamabad, the number of attacks in the first half of 2023 increased by almost 80 percent compared to the same period last year. According to Islamabad, some of them are planned in Afghanistan - an accusation that Kabul rejects.
One of the most serious attacks occurred at the beginning of the year: In January, an assassin with links to the Pakistani Taliban blew himself up in a mosque at a police station in the northwestern city of Peshawar, killing more than 80 police officers.
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The attack targeted a school that had been transformed into a temporary military base in Pakistan. The explosive-laden vehicle was parked inside the school building and caused three rooms to collapse. The representative stated that they were retrieving bodies from the debris.
It was unclear if all the victims were military personnel as many were asleep and wearing civilian clothes. At least 27 people were injured in the incident, and the death toll could potentially increase.
The TJP group claimed responsibility for the "martyrdom attack," which began around 22:30 CET. The Pakistani army initially remained silent on the matter.
Following the Taliban's seizure of power in Afghanistan in August 2021, Pakistan has witnessed a surge in suspected Islamist-motivated attacks. Several attacks have targeted police officers and other security forces, mainly carried out by the Pakistani Taliban group, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies in Islamabad, attacks in the first half of 2023 have increased by almost 80 percent compared to the same period the preceding year. Some of these attacks are believed to be planned in Afghanistan, an allegation Kabul denies.
One of the most violent attacks occurred in January; an assassin with links to the Pakistani Taliban detonated a bomb inside a mosque in the northwestern city of Peshawar, killing over 80 police officers.
The representative of the authorities urged for an end to such attacks, requesting that 'Islamabad' and 'Taliban' groups put a stop to the violence.
Source: www.stern.de
