By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi
LAKKI MARWAT: A violent blast rocked the busy area near the Sabzi Mandi in Sarai Naurang on Wednesday when an improvised explosive device concealed on a motorcycle detonated in close proximity to a police vehicle.
The explosion, authorities said, sent shockwaves through the local market, leaving panic and confusion in its wake as shoppers and vendors scrambled for safety. Police officials reported that the incident injured a total of eleven people, among them four members of the law enforcement personnel stationed in the area and three children caught in the sudden chaos.
Witnesses described the scene as one of immediate alarm, with debris scattered across the street and vehicles sustaining visible damage. The detonation, occurring in a densely populated commercial zone, highlighted the vulnerability of public spaces to attacks using easily concealable explosives.
Medical facilities responded swiftly to the emergency. Hospital sources confirmed that the injured were received at Sarai Naurang Hospital, with at least one police officer in critical condition being referred to Bannu for advanced care. Staff at the hospital described the injuries as serious but stabilized, noting the combined impact of shrapnel and blast force on victims ranging from law enforcement personnel to civilians, including children.
Authorities launched an immediate investigation into the attack, with security officials combing the area for additional explosive devices and gathering evidence from the scene. While no group has claimed responsibility, investigators said the modus operandi—an improvised explosive device planted on a motorcycle—suggested a targeted attempt to strike law enforcement while maximizing the terror impact on the local population.
