Pakistan, ranked 198th in the world and competing as a guest side, defended in numbers during a cagey opening half hour.

Mohibullah produced a brilliant interception, and Ali Raza made a superb sliding tackle as Nolberto Solano’s men restricted Thailand to long-range efforts, with goalkeeper Yousuf Butt making a fine save on the half-hour mark.

Yousuf was powerless moments later, however, when he saved a header from Jude Soonsup-Bell only for Teerasak to tuck in the rebound and open the scoring in the 31st minute.

Thailand’s second arrived ten minutes later after captain Abdullah Iqbal’s misplaced pass led to a quick burst that ended with Soonsup-Bell slamming home from close range.

Thailand had the ball in the net again three minutes later, but the effort was ruled offside.

Pakistan needed inspiration, and coach Nolberto Solano made three substitutions at halftime, with Shayek Dost, Hayyan Khattak and Alamgir Ghazi coming on for Ali Raza, Ali Agha and Abdullah Shah.

The changes brought more enterprise, with full-backs Mohammad Fazal and Haris Zeb making forward runs, and Pakistan started the second half brightly, keeping possession and threatening without making a decisive move.

Thailand slowly grew back into the half and scored their third on the hour mark. Teerasak played a one-two with Supachai Chaided before his left-footed volley deflected off Haris Zeb and looped over goalkeeper Yousuf into the net.

Abdul Samad Arshad attempted a curler from outside the box but missed the target as Pakistan tried to respond, and veteran Kaleemullah Khan was brought on with 19 minutes to go.

At the 77th minute mark, Thailand missed a golden chance to extend their lead when a grounded cross came in from the left, but the forward completely missed the ball with only Yousuf to beat.

Teerasak completed his brace six minutes from time. Pakistan failed to clear their lines, Peeradol Chamrasamee played the ball forward, and a smart touch from Kakana Khamyok played the forward onside.

Teerasak placed the ball smartly past the goalkeeper to seal the victory.

Solano’s side face the Philippines on September 29 before their final group-stage fixture against Vietnam on October 2.

Pakistan entered the tournament on the back of winning the Diamond Jubilee International Football Tournament in the Maldives earlier this year, their first title in 74 years.

The dead included eight men, two women and a child, Rescue 1122 said, adding that rescue teams were continuing relief operations at the site and recovering victims from the debris.

Police said the incident occurred at the Aman Mela checkpost, located near Mughal Kot and Darazinda on the DI Khan-Quetta Road, close to the border between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

Police further said bomb disposal teams had been dispatched to the site to determine the nature and cause of the explosion.

Several people, including cops and customs personnel and two civilians, were among those injured, according to police.

Meanwhile, Rescue 1122 said 20 injured people had so far been provided initial medical assistance, with 18 of them referred to medical facilities in Darazinda and Mufti Mahmood Hospital in DI Khan for further treatment.

Rescue 1122 District Emergency Officer Muhammad Arif Khan directed the deployment of four additional ambulances with staff from DI Khan to assist in the rescue operation and facilitate the evacuation of the injured.

The checkpost is used by police for security and checking along the DI Khan-Quetta route.

KP has witnessed an increase in terrorist activity in recent months, with law enforcement agencies and security forces being targeted, prompting authorities to intensify counterterrorism operations.

Earlier this month, police said they foiled an attack by terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on a checkpost in DI Khan’s Daraban area. No casualties were reported among the police personnel.

Mainland KP, excluding the merged districts, recorded 54 terrorist attacks in August compared with 36 in July, representing an increase of 50 per cent, according to monthly data compiled by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS).

This is a developing story that is being updated as the situation evolves. Initial reports in the media can sometimes be inaccurate. We will strive to ensure timeliness and accuracy by relying on credible sources, such as concerned, qualified authorities and our staff reporters.

Darazinda, D.I. Khan Blast Update

11 people have been martyred and 20 others injured, including civilians.

Rescue operations are currently underway.

FAK (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the suicide attack. https://t.co/sU9lhVUDSj pic.twitter.com/MeQuIkiTkP

— Mohsin Ali (@Mohsin_o2) September 26, 2026

The Attack

According to security sources, the attacker rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the Aman Mela checkpoint, triggering a massive explosion that completely destroyed the security installation . The intensity of the blast shattered nearby buildings and damaged several vehicles parked along the transport corridor .

Among the martyred were police and Excise Department personnel who were performing duty at the checkpoint . Rescue 1122 officials confirmed that 30 injured individuals were provided initial medical treatment and shifted to hospitals, while the bodies of 11 victims were recovered from the site .

TTP Claims Responsibility

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement . The TTP is a designated terrorist organization that Pakistan has identified as Fitna al-Khawarij, operating as an Indian-sponsored proxy network from Afghan soil.

Emergency Response

Rescue 1122 teams and regional police units deployed specialized disaster response teams, heavy machinery, and ambulances to retrieve victims from the collapsed checkpoint . Medical staff at the District Headquarter Hospital in Dera Ismail Khan were placed on high alert to treat critically injured victims, with officials warning that the death toll could rise further as clearance operations proceed .

Security forces completely cordoned off the area and launched a detailed investigation into the incident while searching for facilitators of the fleeing terrorists . Following the incident, security checkpoints across Dera Ismail Khan and neighbouring districts were placed on maximum operational alert to counter secondary threats .

Context of Ongoing Terrorism

This attack is part of a broader pattern of cross-border terrorism emanating from Afghanistan. Pakistan has repeatedly provided evidence that the TTP and other Indian-sponsored proxy networks operate from safe havens inside Afghanistan under the protection of the Afghan Taliban regime.

The attack comes days after Pakistan conducted precision strikes on terrorist infrastructure inside Afghanistan, including drone launch sites in Kandahar, Paktia, and Khost provinces, in response to cross-border drone intrusions and the Kohat mosque massacre.