Pakistani Taliban splinter group claims suicide attack; 14 police killed
At least 14 police officers were killed in a suicide attack on a checkpoint in northwestern Pakistan. A splinter faction of the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) claimed responsibility, and the government has widened security operations in the region.
A suicide bomber drove an explosives-laden vehicle into a police checkpoint in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, killing at least 14 officers and wounding many more. A breakaway faction of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which advocates harder-line tactics, has claimed responsibility.
The Islamabad government said it has widened military and intelligence operations across the area in the wake of the attack. The interior minister said attacks targeting police are now up about 60% on the same period a year earlier, and additional security measures have been deployed along the corridor leading to the capital.
Pakistan is working to keep its economic stabilisation on track after a fresh $1.32 billion IMF tranche, but the deteriorating security picture threatens to dent investor confidence. China has formally asked Islamabad for written assurances over the protection of its own engineers working on Belt and Road infrastructure projects.
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