Blast in Lakki Marwat market kills at least nine, injures 33

ISLAMABAD: At least nine people, including two traffic police officials, were killed and 33 others injured in a powerful blast in a crowded market area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Lakki Marwat district on Tuesday, according to officials.

The explosion took place at Phatak Chowk in Naurang Bazaar along the GT Road in Sarai Naurang, where traders, commuters and shoppers were present in large numbers, Lakki Marwat police and rescue authorities said. The incident came days after a car bombing and ambush at a police post in neighbouring Bannu district on Saturday left 15 police personnel dead.

Lakki Marwat Deputy Commissioner Hameedullah Khan said preliminary findings indicated that explosive material had been planted in a motorcycle parked in the market. He put the death toll at nine and the number of injured at 33.

However, Regional Police Officer Sajjad Khan gave a higher death toll of 10, including eight civilians and two police officials, according to a Reuters report. The same report said police described the device used in the attack as an improvised explosive device.

Police officials among the dead

Local police said the two traffic police personnel were on duty regulating traffic between Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan when the blast occurred. The force of the explosion was heard in surrounding areas, causing panic among residents.

Police identified the slain officials as Adil Jan and Rahatullah. "Both the martyred officials were serving in the traffic police department and were performing routine duties when they were martyred," RPO Sajjad Khan said and added that police were determined to arrest those responsible for the attack.

Several shops, rickshaws and other vehicles were damaged, while debris was scattered across the market. Rescue teams and ambulances reached the site and shifted the wounded to nearby hospitals.

The Tehsil Headquarters Hospital in Sarai Naurang said in a statement that 33 injured people were brought there, adding that five critically wounded patients were referred to hospitals in Bannu and Peshawar. Deputy Commissioner Khan said emergency measures had been enforced at local hospitals to handle the casualties.

Investigation and official response

Police sealed off the area after the blast and began an investigation. Bomb disposal squad personnel collected forensic evidence from the scene. The district administration also deployed additional doctors, paramedical staff and ambulances to strengthen emergency medical arrangements.

Funeral prayers for the two traffic police officials were offered at Police Lines Lakki Marwat. Senior police officers, civil administration officials, government representatives, fellow personnel and relatives attended the prayers.

On the previous weekend, militants rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the Fateh Khel police checkpoint, killing 15 police officials and injuring three others. Pakistan said terrorists based in Afghanistan were behind that attack, and the Foreign Ministry delivered a strong demarche to Kabul.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief over the Sarai Naurang blast. In a statement, he said all relevant institutions and the government were working with firm resolve to eliminate terrorism from the country. He directed the authorities concerned to complete the inquiry without delay, identify those behind the attack and bring them to justice.

"Terrorists will not be allowed to impede the nation's journey towards peace and progress," the prime minister said, according to the statement.

Separately, while chairing a meeting on the country’s law and order situation and matters related to the Ministry of Interior, the prime minister directed that all available resources be used to improve the capacity of law enforcement personnel for the protection of citizens’ lives and property. He also ordered strict implementation of the government’s zero-tolerance policy against corruption in law enforcement institutions and said recruitment in all departments under the Interior Ministry, including the Federal Investigation Agency, must be carried out strictly on merit.

Emphasising the need to address modern security challenges, Shehbaz said security personnel should receive advanced training and modern skills, and asked authorities to ensure the provision of the best equipment, modern technology and professional resources to law enforcement agencies. At the meeting, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi briefed participants on the performance and future development plans of the FIA, Islamabad Police, National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency, Federal Constabulary, Capital Development Authority and other institutions under the Interior Ministry.