Deadly blast near Miranshah checkpost leaves one dead, 19 injured

MIRANSHAH: At least one person was killed and 19 others, including two security personnel, were injured in a blast near the Chashma Sarbandki checkpost on the Bannu–Miranshah main road in the North Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday, according to police and hospital officials.

Police sources said initial information suggested that the explosion occurred when explosives packed inside a vehicle detonated near the security checkpost. The powerful blast caused panic in the area and damaged nearby structures.

Following the explosion, authorities immediately closed the Bannu–Miranshah road to traffic while security forces rushed to the scene to secure the area and launch rescue operations.

Medical Superintendent of the District Headquarters Hospital Miranshah, Dr Asif Iqbal, said that 19 injured people were shifted to the hospital, adding that the condition of four among them was critical.

He said the hospital administration declared an emergency to ensure immediate treatment for the wounded, while additional medical staff were called in to handle the situation.

Police officials said the blast site had been cordoned off and a search operation was underway. Investigators were collecting evidence from the scene to determine the exact nature of the explosion and those responsible for the attack.

The incident comes roughly three weeks after another deadly explosion occurred near the Miryan Police Station in Bannu District on February 16.

In that attack, two people were killed and 17 others injured when a time bomb planted in a motorcycle exploded near the police station. Police said a child was among those killed in the blast.

Authorities say investigations into both incidents are ongoing as security forces remain on high alert across the region.