Dera Ismail Khan Police Station Attack Foiled: Explosives-Laden Vehicle Rams Gate, No Police Hurt
Police in Dera Ismail Khan foiled a suicide car-bomb attack early on Thursday, 12 November 2026, after attackers rammed an explosives-laden pickup into a police station gate and opened fire. No officer was hurt, and the attackers fled after police returned fire.
What happened
The attack took place late on Wednesday night at the Band Korai police station in Dera Ismail Khan district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, police said. The attackers drove the explosives-packed vehicle into the main gate, setting off a powerful blast.
The explosion destroyed the gate and a section of the station’s boundary wall. It also damaged a nearby mosque and several surrounding houses, spreading fear in the area.
The attackers then opened fire with heavy weapons, but police inside returned fire at once, held their positions and stopped them from entering the building. The attackers retreated.
A police spokesperson credited the officers’ alertness and advance security arrangements. No casualties were reported, and every officer at the station remained safe.
Senior officers rushed to the scene, the area was cordoned off, and a search operation has been launched to track down the attackers. The District Police Officer of Dera Ismail Khan visited the site and reviewed security arrangements.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. Police said information about the attackers was still awaited.
A second blow against militants on the same day
Separately on Thursday, police in Khyber district killed Saifullah, a wanted commander of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) wanted over bomb attacks on checkposts.
Why it matters
This is the second major attack on police in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in two days. On Wednesday, 11 November, 10 policemen — including senior officer DSP Haidar Zaman — were killed when militants ambushed a police team returning from an operation against illegal gold mining in Kohat. The TTP later claimed that attack.
The Dera Ismail Khan attack shows that police stations remain a prime target for militants in the province. But it also shows the other side: this time, alert officers and stronger security stopped the attackers from getting inside, and no officer was hurt.
What happens next
Police are searching the area and working to identify the attackers. Watch for a claim of responsibility, and for whether the authorities link this attack to the group behind the Kohat ambush.
Sources
- Deccan Herald (PTI) — Suicide attack on police station foiled in northwest Pakistan
- The Express Tribune — Police kill wanted TTP commander in Khyber, foil attack in Dera Ismail Khan
- Hum English — KP police kill wanted militant commander in Khyber, foil separate attack on DI Khan station
- 24NewsHD — Car-bomb attack on DI Khan police station foiled
- The Thursday Times — Police kill wanted TTP commander in Khyber, repel DI Khan station attack
This article is for general information and education only. It is not legal or financial advice.
