Suicide attack at DI Khan anti-smuggling check post kills 11, including women and child

At least 11 people, including two women and a two-year-old child, were killed when a suicide bomber drove an explosives-laden vehicle into an anti-smuggling check post in the Darazanda area of Dera Ismail Khan, sources said on Saturday.

The sources told Geo News that the attack targeted the Aman Mela Police Checkpoint on the DI Khan-Quetta Road, where a vehicle packed with explosives was rammed into the post.

The martyred individuals included six police personnel and two customs officials, they added. 

More than 30 people, including customs and police officials as well as civilians, were wounded in the blast, with some in critical condition. Sources said the death toll was feared to rise.

The sources added that the attack on the anti-smuggling checkpoint was evidence of a nexus between terrorists and criminal elements, saying that the Khawarij had once again targeted security forces and civilians.

Pakistan has witnessed a sharp rise in terrorism since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. Despite Islamabad’s repeated requests for the Afghan regime to ensure its soil is not used for terrorism, it has yet to fulfil its commitments.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has condemned the suicide attack, expressing grief and sorrow over the loss of precious human lives in the blast.

Naqvi expressed sympathy and condolences to the families of those martyred in the attack. “Cowardly acts by the Khawarij cannot weaken the nation’s resolve against terrorism,” he said.

The minister noted that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa "is on the frontline" in the war against terrorism, adding: "People from all walks of life have made countless sacrifices in this war." 

The attack comes a week after explosions targeted a mosque inside Kohat Police Lines during Friday prayer, martyring 22 people, including 16 police officials, and injuring 103 others.

The attack began when an explosives-laden vehicle rammed into the gate of the old Police Lines before exploding, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hamid told Geo News.

Gunfire also erupted after the blast, while another suicide explosion occurred at the Special Branch building during an exchange of fire between security personnel and the militants.

Of the 103 injured, 73 are police personnel, and 30 are civilians, according to the MS. 90 of the injured were brought to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, while 13 were taken to Liaquat Memorial Hospital.

The blast severely damaged the mosque's outer section, while a wall also collapsed, rescue officials said, noting that a rescue operation was being carried out at the site of the explosion.

Police and security forces subsequently launched an overnight clearance operation inside the Police Lines. Elite Force commandos, CTD teams and other security personnel took part in the operation, which cleared key sections of the compound.

Eight militants were ultimately killed during the operation, according to the Central Police Office. Security sources said the Pakistan Army joined the operation after Fajr prayers and killed the last two suicide bombers hiding inside the compound.