13 martyred in suicide attack at anti-smuggling check post in DI Khan

• Attack targeted Aman Mela post on DI Khan-Quetta Road.
• Over 35 people wounded, some in critical condition after attack
• Two rescue officials martyred as militants fire on ambulance. 

ISLAMABAD: At least 13 people, including two women and a two-year-old child, were martyred when a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into an anti-smuggling check post in the Darazanda area of Dera Ismail Khan on Saturday, security sources said.

The martyred include Customs, Excise and Rescue officials as well as civilians, according to the sources.

The attack targeted the Aman Mela police checkpoint on the DI Khan-Quetta Road, where the explosives-laden vehicle was rammed into the post, the sources told Geo News.

Regional Police Officer (RPO) Ghulam Mubashir said six police personnel and two Customs officials were among those martyred in the blast.

At least 35 people were injured in the attack, the RPO said, adding that 25 of them had been referred to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital.

Some of the injured, including Customs and police officials and civilians, are in critical condition, while sources said the death toll could rise.

'Two customs officials martyred'

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) confirmed that two Pakistan Customs officials were martyred and four others injured in the attack.

The martyred officials were identified as Havaldar Farmanullah and Sepoy Usama, the FBR said.

The FBR expressed condolences to the families of the officials, saying the "cowardly terrorist attacks" could not lower the morale of Customs personnel.

Pakistan Customs said the suicide bomber detonated the vehicle near the check post, triggering a fire.

The injured personnel were shifted to hospital for immediate medical treatment, while a medical emergency was declared at the DHQ Hospital in Dera Ismail Khan.

'Firing at ambulance'

Separately, two Rescue officials were martyred after militants opened fire on an ambulance carrying people injured in the attack, security sources said.

The officials were identified as Imtiaz and Sharif, the sources said.

Security forces are continuing an operation against the militants following the attack, they added.

Most of the deceased belonged to Dera Ismail Khan, the sources said, identifying the victims as Farman, Marwat, Usama, Muhammad Mehran, Muhammad Bilal, Masto Khan, Faisal Aziz, Khan Gul, Gul Melana Bibi, Gul Warina Bibi and Mako Bibi.

Security forces are also conducting clearance operations in Darazanda following the attack, the sources added.

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.

Condolences

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has condemned the terrorist attack, expressing deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious human lives.

He expressed condolences and sympathy to the families of those martyred in the attack and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

"We will never allow the sacrifices of the nation’s protectors in the war against terrorism to go in vain," the prime minister said, adding that the government was determined to completely eliminate terrorism from the country. 

President Asif Ali Zardari also condemned the bombing and extended his condolences and sympathies to the families of those martyred.

He prayed for the elevation of the martyrs’ ranks and patience for their bereaved families, and also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.

President Zardari directed the relevant authorities to provide the injured with the best possible medical facilities and make rescue operations more effective. "Targeting innocent civilians and law enforcement personnel in terrorist attacks is highly condemnable," he said.

Separately, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also condemned the suicide attack, expressing grief and sorrow over the loss of human lives.

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.