ISLAMABAD: At least seven people, including two police officers, were martyred and several others wounded in a roadside explosion in a crowded market in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Tuesday, according to security sources.
The blast took place in Sarai Naurang Bazaar in Lakki Marwat district, a restive area near Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan.
According to initial reports, the device was planted on a motorcycle parked in the market area and detonated during business hours. Rescue officials said the injured were taken to a nearby hospital, though the exact number of wounded was not immediately confirmed.
Security forces sealed off the area after the explosion and launched a search operation.
According to security sources, following the success of Ghazab lil-Haq (a cross-border military operation by the Pakistan armed forces to eliminate terrorism), Fitna al-Khwarij have reacted with anger. They have begun targeting civilian and other soft targets under external direction from India.
After these incidents, strong anger and resentment have been reported among the people of Lakki Marwat toward the group.
Pakistan PM orders probe
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the roadside explosion, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
According to the PMO, PM Sharif said authorities were working to eliminate terrorism and would not allow such attacks to hinder “peace and development.”
He directed officials to complete an inquiry into the explosion in Sarai Naurang Bazaar, identify those responsible and bring them to justice.
The prime minister said security forces and civilians had made significant sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.
He also prayed for the victims and called for the recovery of those injured.
