Suicide bomb attack on security checkpoint in Pakistan, 11 killed

A security checkpoint jointly operated by police, military and customs personnel in the northern region of Pakistan has come under a suicide bomb attack, killing at least 11 people. Another 18 people have been injured in the incident.

The attack took place in the Dera Ismail Khan area around noon local time on Saturday, according to police and rescue officials quoted by news agency AFP.

Police officer of Dera Ismail Khan Saifullah Khan said a suspected suicide attacker rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the security checkpoint. This caused the death of 11 people on the spot.

Official of rescue organisation 1122 Bilal Fauzi said 11 bodies have been recovered from the scene after the attack. The 18 injured have been taken to hospital for treatment.

No group or organisation has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Earlier at the beginning of this month, 31 people including 16 police members were killed in a suicide attack and gunfight at a police headquarters in Kohat city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Tension has remained between Pakistan and Afghanistan over continuous armed attacks and violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan in recent years. Pakistan has been blaming armed activities operated from Afghanistan behind these attacks. However, the Taliban government of Afghanistan has denied the allegation of such activities being operated from their territory.

Relations have deteriorated amid mutual allegations by the two countries and have at times turned into armed clashes. Pakistan has also carried out several rounds of airstrikes targeting alleged militant hideouts on Afghan territory.