Pakistan: Two policemen wounded in IED attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Jan. 9

Event

An improvised explosive device (IED) attack left at least two police officers wounded in Dera Ismail Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province) on the evening (local time) of Wednesday, January 9. The attacks took place in the Kolachi area of Dera Ismail Khan. Following the attack, security forces reportedly found and defused at least two other IEDs on the Kolachi-Kanori road. Similar militant attacks are possible in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province over the near term.

Context

Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Al-Qai'da, Islamic State (IS) affiliates, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, Afghan Taliban, and other Islamist militant groups continue to pose a threat throughout the country despite continued army offensives to push them from their northwestern strongholds near the Afghan border. Pakistan has suffered numerous deadly attacks in recent months, notably in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.

Advice

Due to the high threat of terrorism and other forms of violent crime, individuals in Pakistan are advised to report any suspicious objects or behavior to the relevant authorities (their diplomatic mission or security manager). As a reminder, many Western governments advise their citizens against nonessential travel to Pakistan. Travel to the country should only be considered with proper security protocols in place.