At least 11 killed, several injured in K-P's Dera Ismail Khan explosion

At least 11 people were killed, and several others were injured in a blast near Aman Mela in the Darazinda area of Dera Ismail Khan (DIK), according to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Rescue 1122.

Rescue 1122 spokesperson Bilal Ahmad Faizi said its Darazinda station team reached the site shortly after receiving information about the explosion and immediately launched relief and rescue operations.

"Additional ambulances and rescue personnel from Karak and Hangu have also reached the site to assist with the search and rescue operation," he added.

According to the emergency service, 18 injured people have so far been provided medical assistance and shifted to hospitals.

“The bodies of 11 people killed in the blast have also been recovered from the site,” Faizi said.

"Six Rescue 1122 ambulances, one firefighting vehicle, and more than 25 personnel are taking part in the rescue and relief activities at the site," the spokesperson added.

On the instructions of DIK Emergency Officer Muhammad Arif Khan, four additional ambulances along with rescue personnel were dispatched from DIK to assist in the emergency response and ensure the injured were provided immediate medical treatment and transported to hospitals.

The cause of the explosion was not stated by the rescue service.

Separately, K-P Inspector General of Police (IGP) Zulfikar Hameed stated that the blast occurred at a “joint checkpoint established for anti-smuggling operations” near the Darazinda Aman Mela in Dera Ismail Khan.

He said police, security forces and Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) teams rushed to the site immediately after receiving information about the explosion.

Police and CTD personnel cordoned off the area and launched a search and clearance operation, the IGP said, adding that evidence was being collected from the scene and efforts were underway to determine the nature and cause of the explosion.

Meanwhile, K-P Governor Faisal Karim Kundi sought a report from senior officials regarding the blast.

“The attack is a nefarious conspiracy by Fitna al-Hindustan,” Kundi said in a statement issued by his office.

He directed the authorities to provide the injured with every possible medical treatment.

Former K-P chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur also condemned the attack on the Darazinda Aman Mela checkpost.

Expressing sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the attack, Gandapur extended his condolences to the families of the martyred personnel and civilians. He prayed for the elevation of the martyrs’ ranks and patience for their bereaved families. Gandapur also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the attack.

In a statement issued by his office, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah strongly condemned the blast in Dera Ismail Khan, expressing deep grief over the deaths of police personnel, customs officials and civilians in the alleged suicide attack.

Murad extended his heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the families of those killed in the blast.

“Police and customs personnel who sacrifice their lives for the country and the nation are our pride,” the chief minister said.

“The entire nation stands with the security forces in the fight against terrorism,” Murad stressed.

He described those who target innocent civilians and dutiful security and government personnel as “enemies of humanity”, adding that such attacks would not weaken the country’s resolve against terrorism.

K-P has witnessed a significant rise in terrorist activities since last week, after 23 people, including 15 police personnel, were martyred in a blast at a mosque in Kohat’s Police Lines during Friday prayers. Eight terrorists were also killed during a subsequent search and clearance operation.

Later, the Ittihadul Mujahideen Pakistan (IMP), led by Afghanistan-based Hafiz Gul Bahadur, claimed responsibility for the deadly bombing and rampage involving multiple attackers.

In a separate incident, a captain and a lieutenant were among six security personnel martyred in an exchange of fire in Hangu district, while eight terrorists were killed.

Following a series of deadly attacks in K-P, Pakistan carried out “calibrated” air strikes against terrorist hideouts near the Afghan border and conducted intelligence-based ground operations that killed a total of 37 terrorists.

Pakistan’s air defence systems also shot down eight drones after they entered the country’s airspace from Afghanistan. Security sources said four of the drones were brought down in areas adjoining the Torkham border, while another four were shot down in mountainous areas near the border with Kohat.

Reacting to the attack, Pakistan carried out “precision” air and drone strikes against 10 locations in Afghanistan.

This is a developing story…