Deadly Blast in Pakistan

The death toll stood at 12 after a roadside bomb exploded in northwestern Pakistan on Tuesday. The bomb was believed to have targeted a police patrol. A senior police officer, his guard and his driver were among the dead. Two schoolchildren were also among the eight civilians who died in the blast. The death toll could rise as fifteen people were wounded as well.

The bomb exploded in an area known as Dera Ismail Khan. This is a region that thousands of people have fled to in recent months, in the face of the ground that offensive the government launched against the Taliban. The offensive, one of the biggest in recent years, launched in mid-October targeting a Taliban’s stronghold located in the South Waziristan region.

Along with the civilians, many terrorists have also made the long trek to Dera Ismail Khan and set up camp there.

The terrorists have been making sporadic attacks in many areas of the northwest and the military has been trying to counter them as best as possible. An operation in mid-March is estimated to have killed hundreds or terrorists. However, that has not stopped the attacks from continuing. The military seems to be reluctant to do a big push in the North Waziristan region for some reason. The U.S. has been pressuring Pakistan to take control of the area. North Waziristan is in close proximity to Afghanistan and is used by Al-Qaida as well the Taliban as a base to instigate strikes on U.S. and Nato troops.