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Suicide Blast Near Dera Ismail Khan Bridge Shuts Key KP–Punjab Highway
A suicide blast at Dajil checkpost near the Dera Darya Khan bridge killed two police officials and injured four, forcing closure of the main highway linking KP with Punjab. Commuters and traders face major disruption.
ND
by News Desk
2026-02-25
Suicide Blast Near Dera Ismail Khan Bridge Shuts Key KP–Punjab Highway

The main highway linking Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) with Punjab remained closed on Wednesday following a suicide attack at the Dajil checkpost near the Dera Darya Khan bridge in Bhakkar district, causing significant hardship for commuters and traders on both sides of the inter-provincial border.

The attack took place on Tuesday around 7pm when a suicide bomber detonated explosives near the security post, located a short distance from the bridge connecting Dera Ismail Khan with Punjab. CCTV footage reportedly captured the attacker approaching the checkpost moments before carrying out the blast.

Two police personnel were martyred in the explosion, while four others sustained injuries. The wounded officials were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital for treatment, where their condition is being monitored.

Following the incident, security was placed on high alert in both DI Khan and Bhakkar districts. Punjab police sealed the road near the Dera Darya Khan bridge and suspended all traffic as a precautionary measure. A search operation was also launched in surrounding areas to track down any facilitators or accomplices.

The continued closure of the inter-provincial route has created major disruptions for travelers and transporters. Vehicles remained stranded for hours, while passengers were forced to use longer alternative routes, resulting in additional travel costs and delays.

The disruption comes only days after the same route faced prolonged blockages due to protests by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which had already affected the movement of goods and people.

Business leaders in DI Khan expressed concern over repeated closures, saying they had disrupted supply chains from Punjab, particularly from Lahore and other major commercial hubs.

President of the Markazi Anjuman-i-Tajiran, Sohail Ahmed Azmi, stated that the prolonged suspension of traffic was compounding challenges faced by traders. With Ramazan underway and Eidul Fitr approaching, he warned that further delays in transporting goods from Punjab could lead to financial losses and possible shortages in local markets.

Azmi urged authorities in Bhakkar to restore traffic after completing necessary security checks. While acknowledging the importance of security in the aftermath of the attack, he said extended road closures were intensifying public hardship.

Officials have not yet announced a timeline for reopening the route.

Meanwhile, KP has witnessed a notable rise in militant violence over the past year. According to the Annual Security Report 2025 issued by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), fatalities in the province increased sharply from 1,620 in 2024 to 2,331 in 2025, reflecting a worsening security situation.
Tagged:

PUNJAB

KhyberPakhtunkhwa

DeraIsmailKhan

Bhakkar
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