Suicide Attack in One of the Most Dangerous Countries Kills 11 at Pakistan Police Checkpoint
A suicide bomber killed at least 11 people and wounded about 30 others at a police checkpoint in Dera Ismail Khan, northwestern Pakistan, with the Pakistani Taliban claiming responsibility amid a surge in militant attacks in one of the most dangerous countries. The attack occurred on Saturday in Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, targeting a roadside police checkpoint with an explosives-laden vehicle. [2] Most of those killed and wounded were security personnel and passers-by. [2] The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility; the group is separate from but allied with the Afghan Taliban. [2]
Pakistan Suicide Bombing
The attack occurred on Saturday in Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, targeting a roadside police checkpoint with an explosives-laden vehicle. [2] A suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vehicle at a roadside police checkpoint in northwestern Pakistan on Saturday, killing at least 11 people and wounding about 30 others, officials said. [2] Local police chief Safdar Baloch said most of those killed and wounded were security personnel and passers-by. [2] The Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement. [2] Blast in Pakistan's Dera Ismail Khan kills 11, injures 30. [3]
Rising Militancy in One of the Most Dangerous Countries
Pakistan has experienced a surge in militant attacks in recent years, many of them claimed by the TTP and the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army, or BLA, a separatist group mainly active in neighbouring Balochistan province. [2] The TTP is separate from but allied with the Afghan Taliban, which returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021. [2] The attack occurred in Dera Ismail Khan, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, said Bilal Faizi, a spokesman for the provincial emergency service. [2]
Ghana Counter-Terrorism Training
The French Embassy in Ghana has trained personnel of the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) of the Ghana Police Service in a two-week intensive workshop aimed at strengthening Ghana’s counter-terrorism response. [1] The workshop formed part of ongoing security cooperation between France and Ghana and focused on building the capacity of CTU personnel, equipping officers with modern counter-terrorism operational skills and improving preparedness against evolving threats in the West African sub-region. [1] Over the two weeks, participants underwent intensive tactical and operational training designed to strengthen their effectiveness in counter-terrorism operations. [1] Addressing the graduands at the closing ceremony, Director-General of Special Duties, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Raymond Ali Adofiem, cautioned the officers against complacency, stressing that true competence goes beyond certification. [1] “To our participants, congratulations! But remember, a certificate is not a capability. Continue to train, practise, rehearse, share what you have learned, maintain your fitness, equipment and discipline. Do not wait for an emergency to discover whether you are prepared,” he said. [1] “Take the knowledge, take the discipline, take the responsibility, return to your teams and make them better,” he added. [1] DCOP Adofiem also expressed gratitude to the French government for its sustained support to Ghana’s security sector. [1] In appreciation of the support, the trainees presented the French officials who facilitated the training with traditional smocks, known as fugu, and caps. [1] Officials at the ceremony described the training as successful, citing the discipline and commitment demonstrated by the officers throughout the programme. [1]
Nigerian Troops Thwart Attack
Troops of the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have thwarted a suspected terrorist attack, recovered an AK-47 rifle and arrested a suspected criminal during separate operations in Kaduna State. [4] The operations were conducted between September 23 and 24, 2026, in Kachia Local Government Area of the state. [4] In a statement issued on Saturday, the Media Information Officer of the JTF North-West, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, said troops of Sector 1 acted on credible intelligence about the movement of terrorists through the bushes around Rijana, Kachia Local Government Area. [4] Danja said the troops swiftly mobilised to the area, laid an ambush and engaged the terrorists after sighting them. [4] “Following the engagement, troops conducted a follow-up exploitation of the general area, leading to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle and a magazine loaded with 13 rounds of ammunition.” [4] According to him, the troops also recovered a magazine carrier and a military jungle hat, among other items. [4] In a separate operation on the same day, troops of Sector 1 conducted a clearance operation in Awom village, also in Kachia LGA, to deny terrorists and other criminal elements safe haven in the community. [4] Danja said the operation resulted in the arrest of a suspected criminal identified as Jacob, who was allegedly found in possession of a fabricated pistol and seven rounds of ammunition. [4] He added that the suspect remained in military custody and was assisting with the ongoing investigation. [4] The JTF spokesperson said the Theatre Command commended the troops for their vigilance, professionalism and prompt response during the operations. [4]
Bomb Threats in Trinidad and Tobago
Bomb threats following long holidays appear to be becoming a recurring problem, Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association (TTUTA) president Crystal Ashe has said. [5] His comment came following bomb threats at four secondary schools yesterday—Arima North Secondary, El Dorado East Secondary, El Dorado West Secondary and Tunapuna Secondary—which resulted in the students being evacuated. [5] In a WhatsApp exchange with the Express yesterday, Ashe said more must be done to locate the individuals who carry out bomb threat pranks. [5] He said TTUTA would always be concerned when threats are made against schools. [5] He noted that the Ministry of Education already has a bomb threat policy for schools to follow. [5] “Bomb threats occur often after a holiday in the middle of the week. Some people believe they deserve an extra day. We will always be concerned as a stakeholder in education, but the ministry has a procedure, a bomb threat policy in place, and once the teachers follow it, it should be okay,” Ashe said. [5] The threats at the four schools secondary schools triggered police security sweeps, with students and staff facing disruption as officers searched the affected compounds. [5] The schools were later cleared by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) after no explosive devices or suspicious items were found. [5] In a media release yesterday, the Ministry of Education said it was aware of the threats and that the TTPS subsequently responded to the schools. [5] The Explosive Detection and Disposal Unit and Special Branch conducted thorough searches of the affected schools. [5] The ministry said, “Following the completion of the security sweeps, no explosive devices or suspicious items were found.” [5] The schools were subsequently cleared by the TTPS and deemed safe for the resumption of normal school operations. [5] The ministry said established school safety and emergency protocols were followed, including coordination between school officials and protective services, precautionary measures where necessary, and the orderly management and accounting of students and staff during emergencies. [5] “The safety and security of students, teachers and other members of staff remain the ministry’s priority,” it said. [5] Meanwhile, the National Parent Teachers Association (NPTA) said it was relieved that, after the sweeps, no explosive devices or suspicious items were found. [5] NPTA president Walter Stewart said in a via telephone with the Express yesterday that schools must remain safe spaces for teaching and learning and teachers and students when entering schools must be assured that their safety and security are well protected. [5] “NPTA is therefore deeply concerned about the bomb threats which resulted in security sweeps at four secondary schools. It is noteworthy that bomb threats even when ultimately found to be false will create fear, anxiety and disruptions for students, teachers, parents and the wider community. It not only interrupts and retards quality teach time and delivery of the curriculum, but also diverts valuable police and emergency resources that could otherwise be better utilised responding to genuine emergencies and security needs.” [5]
What to watch next: Officials in Ghana stressed continued training and discipline for CTU personnel after the French Embassy workshop, while Nigerian troops remain resolute in sustaining offensive operations in Kaduna State.
