D.I. KHAN/QUETTA: At least 11 people, including six police personnel, two customs officials, two women and a two-year-old child, were killed and several others injured in an alleged suicide car bombing at a police checkpost in Darazinda, Dera Ismail Khan, according to police and Rescue 1122 sources.
Initial reports said a vehicle laden with explosives was rammed into the checkpost, triggering a powerful explosion. Police and rescue officials confirmed the blast and said the injured were being shifted to hospitals for medical treatment.
Some of the injured were reportedly in critical condition, raising fears that the death toll could increase. Security forces and law-enforcement personnel reached the site shortly after the blast, cordoned off the area and launched search and clearance operations.
Sources said the anti-smuggling checkpost was targeted in the attack. However, no group has so far officially claimed responsibility, and authorities have yet to confirm the identity of those behind the bombing.
The incident comes amid another serious security incident in Balochistan, where 18 construction workers were reportedly abducted after terrorists attacked a road construction company’s camp in Nana Sahib Ziarat, Dukki district.
According to sources, one security guard was killed and another seriously injured during an exchange of fire with the attackers. Security forces subsequently launched a search operation to recover the abducted workers and track down the attackers.
Authorities are investigating both incidents, while further details regarding the casualties, identities of the victims and the perpetrators are awaited.