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 Dajal checkpost near the Dera-Darya Khan Bridge in Bhakkar district.

The road had been sealed after a suicide bomber detonated explosives at the inter-provincial checkpost on Tuesday evening, leaving two police officials martyred and four others injured.

Authorities had suspended traffic as a precautionary measure and launched a search operation in the surrounding areas.

Officials said the Dera-Darya Khan Bridge was reopened for all kinds of traffic 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.

According to police, the blast occurred at around 7pm when the attacker blew himself up near the checkpost. CCTV footage reportedly captured the suspect approaching the post moments before the explosion. The injured were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital for treatment, while security was placed on high alert in both the bordering districts.

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2026