DERA ISMAIL KHAN
At least seven people, including two police officials and five civilians, were killed in a powerful explosion at a busy market in Lakki Marwat district in north-western Pakistan on Tuesday. Authorities said several others were also injured in the incident, which has raised fresh security concerns in the region bordering Afghanistan.
According to senior police officials, the blast occurred in a crowded marketplace in Lakki Marwat during peak business hours, causing panic among residents and shopkeepers. Emergency services and security personnel rushed to the area shortly after the explosion to begin rescue operations and transport the injured to nearby hospitals.
Officials confirmed that two police personnel were among those killed in the attack, while five civilians also lost their lives. Several injured victims are reported to be in critical condition, raising fears that the death toll could increase further.
Security forces quickly cordoned off the market area and launched an investigation into the nature of the blast. Bomb disposal units and forensic experts were deployed to collect evidence from the site. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device or a suicide attack.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos following the blast, with damaged shops, shattered vehicles, and debris scattered across the marketplace. Residents said the explosion was heard from several kilometers away and sent people running for safety.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. However, north-western Pakistan, particularly the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has witnessed a rise in militant violence in recent years. Security forces in the region have frequently been targeted in bombings and armed assaults carried out by extremist groups.
The Pakistani government has repeatedly vowed to strengthen counterterrorism operations and improve security in vulnerable districts near the Afghan border. The latest blast is expected to intensify concerns over the deteriorating security situation in the area.
Local authorities said additional security measures have been introduced in Lakki Marwat following the attack, while police continue efforts to identify those responsible. Senior officials also condemned the incident and expressed condolences to the families of the victims.
The attack comes amid ongoing efforts by Pakistan’s security agencies to contain militant activity and restore stability in troubled regions of the country.