Blasts in northwest Pakistan kill five, injure 30 in attacks targeting police and civilians

At least five people, including police officers, were killed and 30 others injured in two separate explosions in Pakistan’s northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday, police said.

Speaking to Nukta, Muhammad Tahir Shah, district police officer of South Waziristan Lower, confirmed that a police vehicle was targeted in Wana Bazaar.

“Two police officers and one civilian were killed, while around 20 people were injured. Of them, 11, including two police personnel, sustained serious injuries,” he said.

Shah said the injured were shifted to nearby hospitals, adding that about 10 people with minor injuries were discharged after receiving initial treatment.

“The initial investigation suggests the blast was caused by an improvised explosive device intended to target police. However, Wana Bazaar is a congested area, and many civilians were present at the time of the incident,” he said.

Second blast in Lakki Marwat

In a separate incident, at least two people were killed and 10 others injured in a blast in the Lakki Marwat District.

According to the Lakki Marwat police, a powerful explosion occurred at Manjiwala Chowk at a battery shop owned by the brother of Aman Committee president Khalid Khan.

“12 people, including Shoaib Khan, were seriously injured in the blast. Shoaib Khan and Furqan Khan later succumbed to their injuries while being shifted to the hospital,” police said.

Police officials said investigations have been launched to determine the exact nature of the blast, adding that initial reports suggest the explosion may have been caused by an improvised explosive device or a quadcopter attack.

According to police, security has been tightened in the areas, while search operations have been launched in the surroundings after security forces cordoned off the blast sites.

Sohail Afridi, the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, condemned the attacks and sought a report from the provincial police chief.

“Such cowardly acts of terrorism cannot weaken the resolve of the government and the public,” he said, directing authorities to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured.

No militant group immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks. However, banned outfits such as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group have remained active in the region amid a resurgence of militancy.