Blast in Pakistan's northwest kills seven, injures 15

At least seven people were killed and 15 others injured on Monday after an explosion ripped through the office of a peace committee in South Waziristan district of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, officials confirmed.

These committees were formed back in 2007 and then in 2009 to fight militants to protect villages and ensure peace. However, scores of local elders who supported anti-Taliban councils have been assassinated by militants.

The Deputy Commissioner’s office told Nukta that the blast occurred at the peace committee’s office in Wana Bazaar. Officials said the explosion caused the building’s roof to collapse, leading to heavy casualties.

Speaking to Nukta, Usman Wazir, the Station House Officer (SHO) of City Police Station Wana, said an improvised explosive device (IED) had been planted in an adjacent vacant room. Saifur Rehman, a key member of the committee, appeared to be the primary target.

“There was no meeting underway at the time of the blast — only the usual presence of people at the office,” Wazir said. “Since the office is located in the main bazaar, traffic is typically high. The collapse of the roof caused greater casualties.”

A list shared by the District Headquarters Hospital confirmed the identities of the deceased: Khwaja, Aya Khan, Sher Jan, Hayatullah, Sahibzada, Ismail Khan, and Nawab.

The hospital administration said 15 people, including Saifur Rehman, were receiving treatment for injuries. Most of the wounded sustained trauma to their feet, head, and back. Officials added that the majority of the injured were in stable condition.

Ihtisham Ali, adviser to the chief minister on health, condemned the attack and announced an emergency had been declared at the hospital.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.