Pakistan: Five killed, 22 injured as bomb blast targets police patrol in Dera Ismail Khan

At least five people were killed in a bomb blast on Friday (Nov 3) that targeted a police patrol in Pakistan's Dera Ismail Khan, about 350 km southwest of the country's capital Islamabad. Additionally, another 21 people were reported injured.

The bomb exploded close to a police patrol in Dera Ismail Khan city, police official Mohammad Adnan was quoted as saying by the Dawn publication.

Dera Ismail Khan bomb blast: Where exactly the blast occurred?

The explosion occurred in Tank Adda in Ponda Baza of Dera Ismail Khan city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the home state of jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan.

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According to a report in Dawn, a vehicle carrying officers of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Elite Force was targeted.

Caretaker Pakistan Prime Minister reacts

Pakistan Prime Minister Anwaar-ul Haq Kakar extended condolences to the kins of the deceased, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan reported.

"Thanks to the sacrifices of the law enforcement agencies, we have been thwarting the evil intentions of terrorists," he added.

After Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended its purported ceasefire in November last year, Pakistan's security forces have increasingly become the focus of targeted killings.

In July, as many as 12 soldiers of the Pakistan Army were killed in separate military operations in the Zhob and Sui areas of Balochistan, where armed separatists continue to be active since decades.

According tothe data ofPakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) cited by the Dawn, the number of targeted attacks in August was the highest tally for monthly strikes in almost nine years.

(With inputs from agencies)