MIRANSHAH:
At least seven people were killed and three others injured in two consecutive improvised explosive device (IED) attacks targeting vehicles carrying local tribesmen in the Marka Bera area of Bannu district.
According to police and local sources, the first explosion occurred in Marka Bera, an area falling under the jurisdiction of Ahmadzai Wazir Police Station in Bannu district.
A Datsun vehicle carrying passengers was traveling toward Domel when it struck an improvised explosive device (IED) planted along the roadside.
The powerful blast completely destroyed the vehicle, killing five people on the spot and injuring several others. Residents said the explosion was heard across a wide area, prompting local people to rush to the scene to assist the victims.
However, tragedy struck again during the rescue operation. Eyewitnesses said that while the injured were being transported to hospital in a motorcar, the vehicle hit another IED approximately one kilometre from the site of the first blast.
The second explosion killed two more people and completely destroyed the vehicle, raising the death toll from the twin attacks to seven.
Rescue 1122 personnel carried out relief operations under extremely difficult conditions amid security concerns. The bodies of the deceased and the injured were shifted to Domel Rural Health Centre and Khalifa Gul Nawaz Hospital for treatment and further procedures.
District Police Officer (DPO) Yasir Afridi confirmed the incident, stating that seven people had been killed and three injured in the two explosions.
He said law enforcement agencies had cordoned off the area, collected evidence from both blast sites, and launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
Police sources said preliminary evidence suggested that the landmines had been planted by terrorists. Following the attacks, security forces launched a search operation in the area and began sweeping various locations amid fears that additional explosive devices might be present.
Meanwhile, an emergency jirga of Hathi Khel tribal elders and notables was convened after the incident to discuss the deteriorating security situation in the area.
The jirga expressed deep concern over the growing violence and decided that no suspicious activity would be tolerated in the region.
Tribal elders announced that any masked or suspicious individual seen in the area would be treated as a threat and immediately targeted, arguing that the tribes could no longer tolerate further bloodshed and loss of innocent lives.
According to local sources, the Hathi Khel tribe has formed a tribal lashkar to help maintain peace and security in the region. Tribal members believe that the existence of the peace force has made the community a frequent target of attacks by militants.
Tribal sources said concerns over law and order had increased in recent months, with residents feeling increasingly insecure. The elders called on the government and security institutions to clear Marka Bera and adjoining areas of militants and take effective measures to ensure the safety and protection of civilians.
Local residents said the latest tragedy had not only caused a heavy loss of life but had also deepened the atmosphere of fear and uncertainty in the region. Mourning prevailed across the area, with grieving families struggling to cope with the loss of their loved ones.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the IED explosion in Bannu and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of innocent civilian lives.
The president and the prime minister conveyed their heartfelt grief and extended condolences to the families of those martyred, while praying for the swift recovery of the injured.
The president reaffirmed solidarity with the bereaved families in this difficult time and noted that such incidents were deeply painful for the nation.
He issued a clear warning to internal and external handlers of terrorism who were providing safe havens, logistical support and financial assistance to terrorist networks.
The prime minister prayed for the elevation of the ranks of those martyred in the incident and directed the relevant authorities to provide the best possible medical treatment to the injured and ordered an immediate investigation into the incident.
“Terrorism is a heinous conspiracy against humanity and against Pakistan’s peace and stability. Such cowardly acts can never weaken the nation’s resolve,” Shehbaz said, according to a press release issued by the PM Office Media Wing.
(WITH INPUT FROM APP)