Five security personnel martyred in two attacks in DI Khan

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Five security personnel were martyred in two separate attacks by suspected militants in Dera Ismail Khan on Tuesday, police said.

Four customs officials were martyred when militants opened fire on them near Qureshi Mor, close to the Abhaya bridge. The bodies were shifted to the trauma centre at Civil Hospital. Police said the attackers escaped easily after the firing. Officers reached the site, collected evidence and began further investigation. According to police no one has taken responsibility so far, and the incidents are been dubbed as ‘acts of terrorism’.

Mobile phone signals had remained suspended in the area for three days due to security measures imposed during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march. The administration had enforced Section 144, leading to the shutdown of telecommunications services in the area. Although signals have now gradually started to be restored, connectivity remains disrupted in several areas.

Attack on highway police mobile

In the other incident, a Highway Traffic Police mobile was fired upon near Bypass Waziristan Chowk. Driver Habib was martyred, and Head Constable Subhan was critically wounded. Rescue 1122 shifted both to Civil Hospital.

A heavy contingent of police reached the scene, cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to trace the attackers.

Earlier blast claims 12 lives

A deadly blast at an anti-smuggling checkpoint in Dera Ismail Khan’s Darazinda area on Sept 26 killed 12 people and injured 35 others, according to police. The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack.

The explosion targeted a joint checkpoint near Aman Mela that had been established for anti-smuggling operations. Regional Police Officer Ghulam Mubashir Maken said a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) rammed into the checkpoint, causing extensive casualties.

One Customs official was among those killed, while the remaining victims were civilians. No army or police personnel were reported among the dead. The victims included nine men, two women and a child.

Twenty-five of the injured were referred to the District Headquarters Hospital in Dera Ismail Khan, while emergency teams worked to provide treatment and transfer other casualties to hospitals.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfikar Hameed said police, security forces and Counter-Terrorism Department teams immediately reached the site, cordoned off the area and launched a search and clearance operation. Investigators also began collecting evidence to establish the nature and cause of the explosion.

This is a developing story