Two police officers were martyred and 31 people were injured, including five policemen and 26 civilians, after an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded in the Rustam Bazaar area of Wana in South Waziristan on Saturday, police officials said.
Authorities said the blast occurred around 5pm when a police patrol was present in the busy market area. The explosive device had reportedly been planted near the main entrance of a supermarket, causing casualties among both police personnel and civilians nearby.
Asghar Ali Shah, the Deputy Superintendent of Police for Wana Circle, said the explosive material had been placed at the supermarket’s main gate and was detonated either through a remote control or a timed mechanism.
Following the explosion, residents, police and rescue teams rushed to the scene and began relief operations. The injured were transported to the District Headquarters Hospital in Wana for treatment.
Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Jan Mohammad confirmed that the bodies of two policemen were brought to the facility. Among the injured were five other officers, including Station House Officer Saifullah, Sub-Inspectors Ali Muhammad and Muzammil, Assistant Sub-Inspector Momin Khan and Constable Lal Muhammad.
Dr Mohammad said the injured also included 26 civilians, among them elderly people, children and young adults. Several victims were receiving urgent medical treatment, while a hospital emergency was declared to ensure prompt care.
DSP Shah added that another police officer, an additional station house officer, was critically injured and shifted to the South Waziristan Scouts Hospital for specialised treatment.
Officials condemn attack
Sohail Afridi, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, strongly condemned the attack and directed the provincial police chief to submit a detailed report on the incident.
In a statement, the chief minister expressed condolences to the families of the martyred officers and assured them of the government’s support. He also instructed authorities to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured.
Afridi said such “cowardly acts of terrorism” would not weaken the resolve of the government or the public.
Rising security concerns in Waziristan
The blast occurred a day after another attack in North Waziristan, where a suspected vehicle-borne suicide bombing near the Chashma Sarbandki checkpoint on the Bannu–Miranshah Road killed one civilian and injured 19 others, including two security personnel.
Authorities have increased security measures in the region following the recent incidents.