12 killed, 35 injured in D.I. Khan checkpoint blast

At least 12 people were killed and 35 others injured after a powerful explosion struck a joint anti-smuggling checkpoint near Aman Mela in the Darazinda area of Dera Ismail Khan on Saturday.

Police said the blast occurred at a checkpoint established for anti-smuggling operations. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) later claimed responsibility for the attack.

Regional Police Officer Ghulam Mubashir Maken said one Customs official was among those killed, while the remaining victims were civilians. He said no police or Pakistan Army personnel were among the deceased.

According to the police, the dead included nine men, two women and a child. Several of the injured were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Dera Ismail Khan for treatment.

Initial reports said the explosion was caused by a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) that rammed into the checkpoint.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfikar Hameed said police, security forces and Counter-Terrorism Department teams immediately reached the site following the explosion.

The area was cordoned off and a search operation was launched. Investigators also began collecting evidence to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the attack.

Rescue 1122 teams from Darazinda, Karak, Hangu and Dera Ismail Khan took part in the emergency response. Officials said several ambulances, a firefighting vehicle and more than 25 rescue workers were deployed at the scene.

Rescue officials said their personnel also came under fire while transporting the bodies of victims. One person was killed and two others were seriously wounded in the firing. Rescue teams provided medical assistance before shifting the injured to hospital.

K-P Governor Faisal Karim Kundi sought a report from senior officials over the incident and directed authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the wounded.

President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack and expressed grief over the loss of lives. He directed the authorities to strengthen relief efforts and provide medical facilities to the injured.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also denounced the bombing and extended condolences to the families of those killed. He said the sacrifices made by civilians and security personnel in the fight against terrorism would not be allowed to go in vain.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi strongly condemned the attack, saying such incidents would not weaken the country’s resolve against terrorism. He expressed sympathy with the families of the victims and prayed for the recovery of those injured.

K-P Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi also condemned the attack. In a video message, he said the province was facing a renewed wave of terrorism and argued that repeated security operations had failed to bring lasting peace to K-P.

K-P Information Minister Shafi Jan described the bombing as a tragic incident and said the provincial government would take effective measures to protect the lives and property of citizens.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also condemned the attack, saying the incident highlighted the continuing threat of terrorism in the country. He expressed solidarity with police, law-enforcement agencies and security forces.

The bombing comes days after a deadly attack at the Police Lines mosque in Kohat, where 23 people, including 15 police personnel, were killed. The recent incidents have raised fresh concerns over the security situation in K-P.