Twelve people were killed and 35 injured in the Aman Mela checkpoint bombing, while two Rescue 1122 workers died when an ambulance carrying victims came under fire.
DERA ISMAIL KHAN, September 26, 2026: At least 12 people were killed and 35 others injured when an explosives-laden vehicle was rammed into a joint anti-smuggling checkpoint near Aman Mela in the Darazinda area of Dera Ismail Khan on Saturday.
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack, according to multiple reports. Earlier reports had put the death toll at 11 before officials later revised the figure to 12.
The powerful explosion struck the Aman Mela checkpoint on the Dera Ismail Khan-Quetta Road, near the border between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Police and rescue officials said the checkpoint was a joint facility used for anti-smuggling operations.
Regional Police Officer Ghulam Mubashir Maken said 12 people had been killed and 35 injured. The victims included officials and civilians, including women and a child.
Customs personnel among those killed and injured
Pakistan Customs personnel were present at the joint checkpoint, with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) confirming the deaths of two Customs officials.
The FBR identified the martyred officials as Havaldar Farman Ullah and Sepoy Usama.
It said Inspector Kashif, Sepoy Afaq Adil, Sepoy Mehboob and Sepoy Affan were injured and receiving medical treatment.
The FBR strongly condemned the attack and extended condolences to the families of the two Customs personnel.
The Board said the Member Customs had directed the Chief Collector of Customs (Enforcement) and Collector of Customs (Enforcement), Peshawar, to provide all possible assistance to the bereaved families.
The FBR also paid tribute to Customs personnel serving in difficult and high-risk locations, including frontier districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and border crossings in Balochistan.
Ambulance carrying victims comes under fire
The violence continued after the initial explosion when a Rescue 1122 ambulance carrying victims came under fire.
Two rescue workers were killed in the follow-up attack, while another was injured, according to rescue officials. The deceased were identified as Sharifullah and Imtiaz, while Anees sustained injuries.
The ambulance was reportedly targeted while travelling near Daraban after collecting victims from the blast site.
Despite the attack, Rescue 1122 continued its emergency response.
Additional ambulances and rescue personnel were dispatched from Dera Ismail Khan, Karak and Hangu. Rescue officials said six ambulances, a firefighting vehicle and more than 25 personnel were involved in the relief operation.
The wounded were provided emergency medical assistance and shifted to hospitals, while rescue teams recovered bodies from the blast site.
Security forces launch clearance operation
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police, security forces and Counter-Terrorism Department teams reached the scene following the explosion.
The area was cordoned off and a search and clearance operation was launched. Police and security officials also began collecting evidence to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack.
The checkpoint had been established as a joint anti-smuggling facility involving police, Customs and other government and law-enforcement personnel.
President, prime minister condemn attack
President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the bombing and expressed grief over the loss of lives.
He said the targeting of civilians and law-enforcement personnel was highly condemnable and directed the relevant authorities to provide the injured with the best available medical treatment.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the attack and expressed condolences to the families of those killed.
The prime minister said the sacrifices of those protecting the country in the fight against terrorism would not go in vain and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combating terrorism.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned both the bombing and the subsequent firing on the ambulance. He expressed condolences to the family of the rescue worker killed in the follow-up attack and said such incidents would not weaken the country’s resolve against terrorism.
KP leadership expresses concern
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi sought a report from senior officials over the blast and condemned the attack.
He also expressed concern over the firing on Rescue 1122 personnel transporting victims, particularly because the workers were performing emergency duties.
KP Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with the families of those killed and injured.
KP Information Minister Shafi Jan also described the incident as tragic and condemned the loss of civilian and official lives.
Former KP chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur expressed condolences to the victims’ families and prayed for the recovery of those injured.
Political leaders condemn bombing
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari condemned the attack and expressed condolences to the families of those killed.
He said the incident highlighted the continuing threat posed by terrorism and expressed support for police, law-enforcement agencies and security forces.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also condemned the blast and expressed concern over the deaths of civilians and government and security personnel.
Attack comes amid violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
The Aman Mela bombing comes amid continued militant violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The Dera Ismail Khan area has repeatedly witnessed attacks targeting police and security personnel. Saturday’s bombing also came amid heightened tensions along Pakistan’s western border and renewed concerns over militant activity in the region.
The TTP, which claimed responsibility for the latest attack, has been responsible for numerous attacks in Pakistan in recent years.
Pakistan has repeatedly called on the Afghan Taliban authorities to prevent militant groups from using Afghan territory for attacks against Pakistan, while Afghan authorities have denied allowing their territory to be used for attacks against other countries.
FBR vows Customs operations will continue
Following the attack, the FBR said the deaths of its personnel would not deter Customs officials from carrying out their responsibilities.
The Board said Customs personnel continued to serve in difficult locations alongside the armed forces, Frontier Corps, police and other law-enforcement agencies to prevent the movement of weapons, narcotics, smuggled goods and funds associated with violent activities.
The FBR said the attack would not weaken its resolve.
“Our posts will remain with staff. Our checks will continue. Our officers will return to their positions, as they always have,” the Board said.
The FBR also prayed for the highest ranks in Jannah for the deceased officials, patience for their families and a swift recovery for those injured.
The latest reported toll stands at 12 dead and 35 injured, although casualty figures in the aftermath of major attacks can be revised as identification and medical assessments continue.