Police conducting investigations. Photo: (file)/Ramzan Seemab
DERA ISMAIL KHAN/MIRANSHAH:
Two policemen were martyred, while 15 people, including five cops were injured in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in the Rustam Bazaar area of Wana in Lower South Waziristan on Saturday.
In a separate attack, the brother of a peace committee chief was killed in a blast near his shop in Lakki district.
According to police officials, the explosion in South Waziristan occurred around 5pm near the main entrance of a supermarket where a police van was conducting routine patrols. The explosive device planted near the entrance went off with a powerful blast, injuring policemen and civilians present at the scene. Two police personnel were martyred on the spot.
The explosion occurred when the bazaar was crowded with shoppers.
DSP Wana Circle Asghar Ali Shah said the explosive material had been planted near the main gate of the supermarket and was likely detonated through a remote control or a timed device.
Following the blast, local residents, police personnel and rescue teams launched relief efforts and shifted the injured to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital in Wana.
Medical Superintendent of DHQ Hospital Wana Dr Jan Mohammad said the bodies of the two martyred policemen were brought to the hospital. One civilian was also killed in the attack.
He said the wounded, including elderly individuals, children and young men, were brought to the hospital where they were being provided medical treatment. An emergency was declared at the hospital to ensure prompt medical care for the victims. Several injured were stated to be in critical condition.
Among five injured cops, four are sub-inspectors.
Police launched an investigation to determine the nature of the blast and identify those responsible, while security in the area has been further tightened.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi took notice and strongly condemned the incident. In a statement, he directed the IG to submit a detailed report on the incident.
Afridi expressed sorrow at the casualties and extended his condolences to the bereaved families. He said the provincial government stood with the families of the martyrs in this difficult time.
The K-P chief minister also directed the authorities concerned to ensure the immediate provision of the best possible medical facilities to the injured.
He said such cowardly acts of terrorists could not weaken the resolve of the people and the government.
Over the past year, the security situation in Lower South Waziristan, Upper South Waziristan and North Waziristan has deteriorated, with an increase in incidents of terrorism, bomb blasts, targeted killings, kidnappings for ransom and attacks on police and security forces. Local residents have expressed serious concern and urged the government to take effective measures to improve security.
In Lakki district, two people, including the brother of a peace committee chairman, were killed and 11 others injured in a motorcycle-borne bomb blast near a battery shop in the jurisdiction of City Police Station, Manjiwala Chowk, the officials said.
According to police sources, the explosion occurred near the battery shop of Shoaib Khan, brother of peace committee Chairman Khalid Khan, when an explosive device went off with a powerful blast.
As a result, Shoaib and a civilian were killed, while 11 others sustained injuries.
A heavy contingent of police and security forces cordoned off the area, collected evidence from the site and launched a search operation.
