Peshawar, Pakistan: A devastating double bomb attack in Pakistan’s north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province killed at least seven people and injured three others on Saturday, according to police.
The first explosion hit a private pickup truck filled with passengers in Bannu district. Police officer Yasir Afridi explained the weapon: “A private pickup truck carrying passengers was targeted with a remote-controlled IED,” using the standard acronym for homemade bombs, AFP reported.
Tragically, the violence c
ontinued as the injured sought medical care. Afridi described the second blast: “… the injured were being transported to hospital in a car for emergency treatment when a second IED exploded,” confirming three additional people were wounded.
Militant groups have not immediately claimed responsibility, though the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan operates actively in this region.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and mourned the victims. He affirmed the government “remained committed to eliminating terrorism” and pledged to “bringing those responsible to justice.”
Pakistan accuses neighbouring Afghanistan of enabling a rise in attacks within its borders. The Taliban government in Kabul has repeatedly rejected these claims, denying Afghan territory serves as militant safe havens.
The dispute has triggered deadly cross-border conflict. Pakistani air strikes recently targeted Afghan cities, including June operations near the border that killed at least 12 people. Diplomatic tensions remain severe between the two nations.
The border has stayed largely closed since violence escalated in October, stopping bilateral trade completely.