BANNU— At least seven people were killed and three others, including children, sustained injuries on Friday following consecutive Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blasts in the Barghanto semi-tribal area of Bannu, security and administrative officials confirmed.
The dual explosions targeted a civilian transport vehicle before a secondary blast went off as rescue operations were underway.
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Secondary Blast Targets Rescue Operations
According to District Police Officer (DPO) Bannu, Yasir Afridi, the first explosion detonated near a Datsun pick-up truck crowded with passengers within the jurisdictional limits of the Ahmad Zai police station. As local residents and first responders gathered at the site to assist the victims, a second IED was detonated.
“The passengers in the vehicle belonged to the Hathi Khel tribe,” DPO Yasir Afridi stated. “A secondary blast went off at the exact site during the active rescue interventions.”
The vehicle of Tehsildar Sub-Division Wazir, Abidullah, which was passing by the roadside location, was also struck and damaged by the blast pressure. The official, however, remained unhurt.
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Emergency Response and Security Sweep
Law enforcement agencies and rescue teams shifted the deceased and injured to the Rural Health Centre (RHC) and the Khalifa Gul Nawaz (KGN) Hospital. Medical officials confirmed that children are among the three wounded individuals currently receiving emergency treatment.
Following the twin blasts, a heavy contingent of security forces cordoned off the Barghanto area. DPO Afridi added that forensic teams have gathered evidence from the scene, and a comprehensive search operation has been launched across the subdivision to trace the perpetrators.
Provincial Government Condemns ‘Cowardly’ Attack
In Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Shafi Jan strongly condemned the bombing, labeling the targeting of innocent civilians a cowardly act. He extended the provincial administration’s condolences to the bereaved families of the Hathi Khel tribesmen and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
The information minister confirmed that Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has taken formal notice of the terrorism incident and directed police higher-ups to submit an immediate investigation report.
“The provincial government is implementing effective and coordinated measures to eliminate the menace of terrorism,” Minister Shafi Jan said, reaffirming the state’s resolve to counter regional militancy.
No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the dual roadside bombings.
