Dera ismail khan: Eleven people were martyred and 20 others injured when a blast targeted a police check-post at Aman Mela near Darazinda on the Dera Ismail Khan-Quetta Road on Saturday.
According to initial reports, an explosive-laden tractor trolley was rammed into the Aman Mela police check-post, causing a powerful explosion that also demolished a house adjacent to the check-post.
The blast occurred in the Mughal Kot-Darazinda area, close to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Balochistan border. Intense firing was also reported after the explosion.
Rescue 1122 officials said the bodies of 11 victims, including eight men, two women and a child, were recovered from the site, while 20 injured people were provided first aid and shifted to medical facilities in Darazinda and Mufti Mahmood Hospital, Dera Ismail Khan.
Soon after the incident, District Police Officer Dera Ziauddin Ahmad and Superintendent of Police Saddar reached the site and supervised the rescue and evacuation of the victims. The injured were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The deceased included Customs Assistant Sub-Inspector Farman Marwat, customs worker Muhammad Bilal, Muhammad Mehran of Wanda Madat, Masto Khan of Darazinda, customs official Usama and Faisal Aziz of Darazinda, according to preliminary information.
Several members of a family living in the house destroyed in the blast were also among the casualties. Gul Maidanah Bibi, wife of Rozi Khan, Maqoo Bibi, wife of Jalal Khan, and Jalal Khan’s daughter Gul Warina Bibi were reported martyred , while Jalal Khan and his brother Najeebullah sustained injuries.
The Rescue 1122 Darazinda team reached the site soon after receiving information about the explosion and launched a rescue operation. Six ambulances, a fire vehicle and more than 25 rescuers participated in the operation.
District Emergency Officer Muhammad Arif Khan directed the deployment of four additional ambulances and rescue staff from Dera Ismail Khan to assist in the evacuation and treatment of the injured.
Dera Ismail Khan Regional Police Officer Ghulam Mubashir Mekan, while speaking to the media shortly after the incident, initially reported 10 deaths and around 20 injuries.
Excise Department officials said personnel of the department posted at the check-post remained safe in the attack.
The powerful explosion caused extensive damage to the check-post and nearby property, while rescue teams continued searching the debris for possible survivors.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi condemned the incident and sought a report from the relevant authorities. He directed the authorities to ensure provision of all possible medical facilities to the injured.
Police, rescue and other relevant teams remained engaged in relief and search operations at the site, while further details were being verified.