Pakistani police, particularly the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), have apprehended nine individuals connected to the Tehrik-e-Jihad Pakistan (TJP), the group responsible for a heinous terror attack on a security post that claimed the lives of 23 soldiers in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.

Terrorist Attack Details:

The attack carried out on December 12, involved six TJP terrorists who drove an explosive-laden truck into a security post in Dera Ismail Khan. 

The authorities have captured the mastermind of the attack and seven facilitators. Notably, the TJP is an affiliate of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Afghanistan Connection:

Officials revealed that the mastermind is a native of Daraban in Dera Ismail Khan, while six terrorists involved in the attack hail from Afghanistan. 

The suicide bomber, Hasan alias Shakir, also originated from Afghanistan, emphasizing the transnational nature of the terror network. Recovered documents and IDs indicated Afghan origins for some of the attackers.

Continued Violence in Pakistan:

The TJP has been linked to major attacks, including the assault on the Pakistan Air Force’s Mianwali Training Air Base and the attack on Zhob Garrison in Balochistan province. 

The surge in violence is attributed to increased activity by various militant groups following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021.

Heightened Security Concerns:

The December 12 attack marked one of the deadliest this year, resulting in the highest single-day death toll for Pakistan’s military. 

The country has witnessed a series of attacks on security forces, necessitating robust counter-terrorism efforts to address rising security concerns.