Initial investigations suggest that the vehicle was specifically attacked with explosive material.
A powerful explosion in Wana Bazaar, the main city and headquarters of Lower South Waziristan, killed three people, including the chief of the Ahmadzai Wazir tribe, Malik Tariq Khan, while two others suffered critical injuries. PHOTO: EXPRESS
MIRANSHAH:
A powerful explosion in Wana Bazaar, the main commercial center and headquarters of Lower South Waziristan, killed at least three people, including the chief of the Ahmadzai Wazir tribe, Malik Tariq Khan, and seriously injured two others on Monday, police said.
The blast occurred near the Khanzada Market gate while Khan’s vehicle was passing through the area, District Police Officer (DPO) Muhammad Tahir Shah Wazir confirmed. The explosion caused heavy damage to the target vehicle and shattered the windows of nearby shops and buildings.
Initial investigations suggested that the vehicle was specifically targeted with explosive material. Preliminary evidence indicates that the attack may have been carried out with a remote-controlled device.
Police identified the other two deceased as Malik Sarfaraz Khan Yar Gul Khel and Yar Gul Khail Jan. The two injured were taken to the Wana district central hospital, where hospital sources described their condition as critical.
Following the incident, police, security forces and bomb disposal squad personnel reached the spot and cordoned off the area. Security agencies also launched a search operation in and around Wana Bazaar, while checkpoints on entry and exit routes were reinforced.
Police officials said investigations into the nature of the explosion and the explosive material used were ongoing, with authorities examining multiple aspects of the incident. Tribal elders, along with local political and social figures, strongly condemned the attack and demanded the immediate arrest and strict punishment of those responsible.
Last week, at least nine people, including two traffic police officers, were martyred and 33 others injured in a powerful explosion that leveled a busy market area in Lakki Marwat district.
Read more: Death toll rises to 15 in police attack in Bannu
Fifteen policemen were martyred in a brazen attack on a Bannu police checkpoint, while a banned organisation, Ittehad Mujahideen Pakistan, belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij, claimed responsibility on May 10.
On the night of Saturday to Sunday, terrorists rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the Fateh Khel police checkpoint in Bannu, causing a massive explosion that completely reduced the structure to rubble.
Bannu regional police officer Sajjad Khan said a total of 18 police officers were present at the checkpoint at the time of the attack. “Of them, 15 embraced martyrdom on the spot, while three suffered serious injuries,” he said. The explosion also caused extensive damage to nearby structures and residential buildings.
