LOWER SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: Two policemen were martyred and 31 others, including five police officers and 26 civilians, were injured in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Wana’s Rustam Bazaar area on Saturday.
Police officials said the explosion occurred around 5pm near the main gate of a local supermarket, where patrol officers were present. The IED was reportedly detonated via remote control or a timed device, according to Wana Circle Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Asghar Ali Shah.
Local residents, police personnel, and rescue teams immediately moved the injured to the district headquarters hospital. Medical Superintendent Dr. Jan Mohammad confirmed the deaths of two policemen and said the injured included five other officers—Station House Officer Saifullah, Subinspectors Ali Muhammad and Muzammil, Assistant Subinspector Momin Khan, and Constable Lal Muhammad.
The civilian casualties included men, women, and children, bringing the total number of injured to 31. Another station house officer was reported in critical condition and shifted to the South Waziristan Scouts Hospital.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi condemned the attack, expressing grief over the loss of life and directing the inspector general to submit a detailed report. He extended condolences to the families of the martyrs and instructed authorities to provide the best possible medical care to the injured.
Afridi vowed that such acts of terrorism would not weaken the resolve of the people or the government.
The blast comes a day after a suspected vehicle-borne suicide attack near the Chashma Sarbandki check post on the Bannu-Miranshah Road in North Waziristan, which killed one civilian and injured 19 others, including two security personnel.
