Nine injured in IED blast at South Waziristan market

MIRANSHAH: At least nine people were injured when an improvised explosive device (IED) planted on a motorcycle exploded in Makeen Bazaar in Upper South Waziristan on Friday, according to police.

The blast occurred at around 10:45am in the busy market, causing panic among shoppers and traders. Three members of a local peace committee were among those wounded.

Dera Ismail Khan Regional Police Officer Ghulam Mubashir Makin said the explosive device had been placed on a motorcycle by unidentified individuals before detonating in the market.

The injured peace committee members were identified as Inayatullah, Sharat Khan and Bangi Khan. They were shifted to Razmak Hospital for further medical treatment.

Other civilians wounded in the explosion were taken to a nearby health facility, where they received medical assistance.

The blast also caused damage to several shops in the market. Goods and other items inside some of the affected shops were damaged in the explosion.

Soon after the incident, police and security personnel cordoned off the area and launched a search operation. Security was increased around the marketplace as investigators collected evidence and searched for possible suspects.

Police have registered a preliminary report and launched an investigation into the attack. Officials said different aspects of the incident were being examined to determine who planted the explosive and establish the motive behind the attack.

Authorities were also carrying out searches in the surrounding areas to trace those involved.

The latest incident has renewed concerns about the security situation in Upper and Lower South Waziristan, where residents have faced a series of security challenges.

Local communities have expressed concern over incidents involving bomb blasts, targeted attacks, kidnappings for ransom and extortion demands against traders. Police and security personnel have also come under attack in the region.

Earlier this week, an armed attack in Sararogha tehsil of Upper South Waziristan targeted a member of a local peace committee. A police official was killed, while the peace committee volunteer was wounded.

The repeated incidents have increased anxiety among residents and business owners in the two districts.

Local residents have called for stronger security arrangements and more effective intelligence-based operations to prevent further attacks and protect civilians.