DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The main inter-provincial highway linking Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Punjab was reopened to traffic on Wednesday after remaining closed for several hours following a suicide attack at the Dajil checkpost in Bhakkar.

The road had been sealed after a suicide attack at the inter-provincial checkpost on Tuesday evening, leaving two police officials martyred. Following the attack, authorities suspended traffic as a precautionary measure and launched a search operation.

Officials said the Dera Darya Khan bridge was reopened for all kinds of traffic on Wednesday after consultations between the district administrations of Dera Ismail Khan and Bhakkar.

Traffic was restored once security clearance was completed and necessary checks were carried out.

It is worth mentioning that the Dajil checkpost is at the border of Dera Ismail Khan and Bhakkar.

Traders against repeated closures

The continued closure of the inter-provincial route caused significant inconvenience to travellers and transporters. Vehicles remained stranded for hours, and passengers were forced to seek alternative routes at additional expense.

The disruption comes days after the same route remained blocked for several days due to protests by the PTI, which had already affected the movement of goods and people.

Earlier in the day, traders in DI Khan said repeated closures had disrupted supply lines from Punjab, particularly from Lahore and other major commercial centres.

President of the Markazi Anjuman-i-Tajiran, Sohail Ahmed Azmi, said the prolonged suspension of traffic was compounding the difficulties faced by the business community.

He warned that with Ramazan underway and Eidul Fitr approaching, any further delay in the transportation of goods from Punjab could result in financial losses and possible shortages in local markets.

Azmi had urged the regional police authorities in Bhakkar to restore traffic after conducting necessary security checks, stating that while security concerns were understandable in the aftermath of the attack, the extended closure of the highway was adding to public hardship.

Punjab IG visits checkpost

Meanwhile, Punjab Inspector Genera Rao Abdul Kareem visited the checkpost and inspected the site of the explosion.

During the visit, the regional police officer Sargodha and the district police officer Bhakkar briefed him about the initial findings and evidence collected from the scene.

The IG directed that security be further tightened at all inter-provincial checkposts across Punjab and instructed officials to ensure strict implementation of standard operating procedures.

He appreciated the morale of the personnel and said those involved in the attack would be brought to justice, adding that the sacrifices of the martyrs would not go in vain.

Senior officers, including the additional IG of the Counter-Terrorism Department, accompanied him during the visit.