ISLAMABAD: The caretaker prime minister, cabinet members and political leaders have condemned and expressed grief over Monday’s terrorist attack on a police station in Dera Ismail Khan, in which 10 policemen embraced martyrdom and nine were injured, APP reported.

In his message, the caretaker PM, Anwaarul Haq Kakar, said the whole nation was standing firmly with the police and security forces.

“We salute our martyrs and pray for those who embraced martyrdom in the terror incident,” the PM said and paid tribute to the policemen for bravely fighting the terrorists.

“Cowardly acts of terrorists will always fail to destroy our resolve to maintain law and order.”

The prime minister prayed for the martyred cops and expressed his heartfelt condolence to the bereaved families.

Mr Kakar directed the authorities concerned to provide all possible medical aid to those injured in the attack.

Caretaker Interior Minister Gohar Ijaz lauded the sacrifices of the police force in the war against terrorism.

In his message, the minister expressed deep sorrow and regret over the loss of lives in the attack.

“The brave children of the nation laid down their lives for the safety of the country,” said Mr Ijaz.

He said that the government stood by the families of martyrs and shared their grief with them.

Praying for the recovery of the injured, the minister said police had rendered immeasurable sacrifices in the war against terrorism.

He said that the terrorists who attack security forces and civilians do not deserve any concession, and the whole nation is united in the fight against terrorism.

Former president Asif Ali Zardari reiterated the need to implement the National Action Plan (NAP) in its letter and spirit to defeat terrorism.

“Peace can be achieved by destroying the sanctuaries and nurseries of terrorists,” added Mr Zardari.

Former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police have always fought the menace of terrorism with great bravery and courage.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Sindh Governor Kamran Tesori and caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi also condemned the attack.

PTI condemns attack

While condemning the attack, PTI said that it happened because the entire state machinery was engaged in political engineering against the party’s founder, Imran Khan.

It called upon the government and state institutions to ensure a peaceful environment for free, fair and transparent general election.

A PTI spokesperson said such a tragic terrorist attack a few days before the general election was a cause of great concern and put a question mark on the performance of the interim federal and provincial governments.

Published in Dawn, February 6th, 2024