Dera Ismail Khan (Web Desk): At least 12 people lost their lives while several others were injured on Saturday after an explosives-laden vehicle was driven into the Aman Mela police checkpoint in the Darazinda area of Dera Ismail (DI) Khan on Saturday, officials said.
According to Rescue 1122, the victims included eight men, two women and a child. Rescue personnel were continuing their operation at the scene and working to retrieve victims from beneath the rubble.
Police said the blast took place at the Aman Mela checkpost, situated near Mughal Kot and Darazinda along the DI Khan-Quetta Road, close to the boundary between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
Authorities said bomb disposal personnel had also been sent to the location to establish the nature of the explosion and determine what caused it.
Regional Police Officer Dera Ismail Khan Ghulam Mubashir Maken said that no Pakistan Army or police personnel lost their lives in the explosion, while the rest of the victims were civilians.
According to him, the deceased comprised nine men, two women and a child.
The explosion took place at the Aman Mela joint checkpost along the Dera Ismail Khan-Quetta Road, near the border between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
The blast inflicted significant damage on the checkpost as well as a nearby house, while heavy gunfire was reported in the aftermath.
Rescue 1122 personnel arrived at the location shortly after receiving information about the incident and immediately began rescue and relief activities. Six ambulances, a fire tender and over 25 rescuers participated in the operation.
Rescuers retrieved the bodies from the site, while those injured were given emergency medical assistance before being transported to medical centres in Darazinda and Dera Ismail Khan.
RPO Ghulam Mubashir Maken said emergency treatment and the transfer of injured people to hospitals were continuing. He added that 25 of the 35 injured had been referred to DHQ Teaching Hospital in Dera Ismail Khan for further treatment.
District Emergency Officer Muhammad Arif Khan instructed officials to send four additional ambulances and more rescue personnel from Dera Ismail Khan to help with the evacuation and medical care of the wounded.
District Police Officer Dera Ziauddin Ahmad and Superintendent of Police Saddar reached the area and monitored the rescue and evacuation activities.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi denounced the incident and requested a report from the authorities concerned. He also instructed officials to make all possible medical facilities available to the injured.
Police, rescue workers and other relevant teams continued conducting search, rescue and relief activities at the site.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday strongly condemned the bomb explosion at a police checkpost in Dera Ismail Khan.
In their separate statements, the president and the premier expressed profound grief over the loss of innocent lives in the incident.
President Zardari conveyed his heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the families of the martyred and prayed that Allah Almighty elevate the ranks of the martyrs and give patience to their bereaved families.
He also prayed for the early recovery of those wounded in the blast.
President Zardari directed the relevant institutions to provide the injured with the best available medical treatment and improve the effectiveness of relief operations.
He said attacks targeting innocent citizens and law enforcement personnel as part of terrorist activities were highly condemnable.
He further called for intensified operations against Fitna al-Hindustan and Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists, who he said were carrying out brutal and heinous acts with foreign patronage.
In his statement Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, condemning the terrorist attack on the police checkpost in Dera Ismail Khan, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of precious human lives in the explosion.
He offered heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the families of the martyrs and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.
“We will never let the sacrifices of the nation’s protectors go in vain in the war against terrorism,” PM Shebaz said adding the government was determined to completely eradicate terrorism from the country.
Earlier after the incident, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi called for a report from senior officials regarding the incident and instructed authorities to ensure that all possible medical assistance was made available to those wounded in the attack.
“The attack is a nefarious conspiracy by Fitna al-Hindustan Khawarij,” the governor said.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqv strongly condemned the suicide bombing at the anti-smuggling “Aman Mela Police Check Post” in Dera Ismail Khan, expressing profound sorrow over the loss of lives in the attack.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Naqvi offered his condolences to the families of those who were killed and expressed solidarity with those mourning their loved ones. He also prayed for the injured, wishing them a swift and complete recovery.
The interior minister said that attacks carried out by the Khawarij would not shake the country’s determination to eliminate terrorism.
He reaffirmed that Pakistan would remain steadfast in its counterterrorism efforts and would not permit such incidents to undermine its commitment to fighting the threat.
Naqvi pointed out that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had remained at the forefront of the country’s battle against terrorism. He acknowledged the province’s continued role in confronting terrorism and highlighted the substantial sacrifices made during the ongoing struggle.
He added that people belonging to different sections of society had made enormous sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.
The contributions of civilians, security forces and others who had participated in the struggle, he said, would continue to be remembered.
Naqvi further paid tribute to the martyrs, saying their sacrifices were held in the highest regard by the nation.
He maintained that those who lost their lives while confronting terrorism had made a significant contribution to the country, and their sacrifices would remain unforgettable.
It is pertinent to mention that the Aman Mela checkpost serves as a police security and checking point along the DI Khan-Quetta route.