Suicide blast at DI Khan checkpost kills 13, injures 35

DI KHAN/PESHAWAR/ISLAMABAD: Thirteen people were killed and 35 others injured after an explosives-laden vehicle rammed into a joint anti-smuggling checkpost in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan on Saturday, District Police Officer (DPO) Zia Ahmad said.

The blast struck the checkpost, locally known as Aman Check Post or Aman Mela, in the Darazinda area on the DI Khan-Quetta Road at around 3:30-4pm, the DPO said while speaking to the media.

The post was staffed by wildlife, excise and security personnel when the attack took place, according to the police official.

The deceased were identified as Muhammad Bilal of the Customs Department, Customs labourers Mastoo Khan, Faisal Aziz and Muhammad Mehran, an Excise inspector, three Excise labourers, and Usama, Gul Maidana Bibi, Makoo Bibi and Gul Wareena Bibi.

The DPO said there was no remaining threat at the site, adding that Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) teams and police reached the scene within 10 minutes of the blast.

An army formation located nearby also responded promptly, he added.

Ambulance comes under fire

The DPO said a Rescue 1122 ambulance carrying injured people from the blast site came under gunfire while transporting them for medical treatment.

The subsequent incident killed two Rescue 1122 officials, he said.

According to the DPO, initial findings indicated that parts of a tractor had been recovered from the scene.

“Preliminary evidence suggests a heavy quantity of explosives was placed inside a tractor-trolley used in the attack,” he said, adding that further details would emerge after a complete investigation.

Police and CTD personnel cordoned off the area and launched a search and clearance operation as authorities collected evidence and investigated the nature of the explosion.

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the attack, according to Reuters. The investigation remains in its preliminary stages.

Condemnations pour in

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack and expressed grief over the loss of lives.

The prime minister extended condolences to the families of those killed and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.

“The sacrifices of the nation’s protectors in the war against terrorism will not be allowed to go in vain,” Shehbaz said, adding that the government was determined to eliminate terrorism from the country.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also condemned the suspected suicide attack at the Aman Mela anti-smuggling checkpost and expressed grief over the loss of lives.

Naqvi extended condolences to the families of those killed and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

He said the “cowardly actions” of militants could not weaken the nation’s resolve against terrorism.

“Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is on the frontline in the war against terrorism,” Naqvi said, adding that people from all sections of society had made numerous sacrifices in the conflict.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Shafi Jan also expressed grief over the blast near the Aman Mela checkpost in Darazinda, describing it as “extremely tragic and condemnable”.

Jan said he shared the grief of the families of those killed and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. He called for all necessary measures to ensure timely medical treatment for those wounded.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also condemned the blast and expressed grief over the deaths.

Kundi prayed for the victims and for the speedy recovery of those injured, saying the sacrifices of police and other law enforcement agencies in the fight against terrorism were unforgettable.

He said militant elements would never succeed in their “nefarious designs”, adding that the nation and law enforcement agencies were united to eliminate terrorism.

Kohat blast claims 23 lives

On September 19, a suicide attack on a mosque at the old Kohat Police Lines killed 23 people and injured 130, according to officials.

The attack was followed by the infiltration of militants into the compound, triggering a 22-hour clearance operation involving Elite Force commandos, CTD teams and other security forces.

The Central Police Office said eight militants were killed when the operation was completed on Saturday, while security sources put the number at seven.