DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The counterterrorism department (CTD) has registered the first information report (FIR) of the Sept 26 suicide attack on the Aman Mela checkpoint in Darazinda tehsil that left 14 people dead and 35 injured.

The case was registered for terrorism, murder, attempted murder, damage to government property and under other provisions of the law. It named unidentified terrorists allegedly affiliated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)’s Sherani faction and the Mishal Group.

Police launched an investigation into the attack. The FIR said an explosive-laden vehicle rammed into the joint police, customs and excise checkpoint at Aman Mela on Sept 26. Gunfire was also reported after the explosion but the firing stopped following retaliatory action by police and security personnel.

The blast destroyed a large portion of the checkpoint. Rescue teams searched the debris and recovered the injured and bodies of those killed in the attack.

The FIR contained the names of the injured, including policemen, customs and wildlife officials and locals. They included constables Faisal Khan, Fazal Rabbi, Taj Wali and Hezbollah, excise official Iftikhar, customs officials Afaqat, Mehboob and Afaq Shah, wildlife official Imran and several other civilians.

The deceased, according to the FIR, included customs assistant sub-inspector Farman Khan, customs official Usama, Mohammad Mehran, Mohammad Bilal, Sato Khan, Faisal Aziz, Khan Mohammad, Gul Melaena Bibi, Gul Zareena Bibi, Maqoo Bibi and Abdul Rahim.

The FIR also stated that another firing incident occurred near Al-Malika Hotel at Sardgar on the Dera Ismail Khan-Zhob Road after the checkpoint attack.

According to police, a Rescue 1122 ambulance was transporting the body of Khan Mohammad when suspected terrorists opened fire on the vehicle.

The firing killed Rescue 1122 worker Mohammad Sharif and injured two others, identified as Rais and Imtiaz.

Police initially described the attack as an act of terrorism and registered the case against unidentified terrorists. The FIR said that terrorists associated with the TTP’s Sherani and Mishal groups may have been involved.

The investigation is under way, with police attempting to establish the identity of those responsible and determine the circumstances surrounding both attacks.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2026