PNN: Two people, including a child, were killed and at least 17 others were injured when an improvised explosive device planted in a motorcycle detonated near the main gate of Miryan Police Station in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu on Monday, Bannu Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Sajjad Khan stated.
“The police personnel at the site were unharmed in the explosion,” he added. After the blast, the police cordoned off the area and launched a search operation. Police added they deployed a large contingent to secure the area and began investigations.
According to a statement by a Rescue 1122 spokesperson Muhammad Aamir, “Rescue 1122 medical teams provided initial treatment to the injured before transferring them to District Headquarters Hospital and Khalifa Gul Nawaz Hospital.”
According to initial information provided by Rescue 1122 spokesperson Muhammad Aamir, the two deceased have been identified as 25-year-old Zohaib, son of Rafiullah, and 10-year-old Daniyal, son of Latifullah.
Rescue 1122 has so far identified 14 injured: 22-year-old Muhammad Akash, son of Iqtadar, 22-year-old Rizwanullah, son of Asal Zaman, 20-year-old Taj Muhammad, son of Zardad, 65-year-old Irfanullah, son of Saifur Rehman, 51-year-old Abdul Rauf, son of Shairoz Khan, 16-year-old Samadullah, son of Umar Jan, 19-year-old Mulyaaz, son of Umar Liaaz, 25-year-old Rubina wife of Nematullah, 6-year-old Nadia, daughter of Habibullah, Sadiq, son of Yunus, 25-year-old Bage, son of Kabi, 11-year-old Habibullah, son of Hameed, 5/6-year-old Rafia, daughter of Habibullah, 4/5-year-old Taflka, daughter of Bilal, 24/25-year-old Noor Shad Ali, son of Safdar Ali, 56/57-year-old Asghar Ali Khan, son of Zaroli Khan, and 43/44-year-old Zardad, son of Zarbad Shah.
DIG Sajjad Khan visited the hospital to check on the condition of those injured in the blast. He inquired about the well-being of the victims and prayed for the elevation of ranks and forgiveness of those who were martyred in the explosion.
He also met doctors and medical staff at the hospital, issuing instructions to ensure the injured received the best possible treatment. He met with the victims’ relatives, shared in their grief, and assured them of full support.
Speaking at the hospital, DIG Sajad Khan said, “In this moment of sorrow, the police stand with the people. Terrorists have neither religion nor faith. Denied an opportunity to target police, they carried out a cowardly act by targeting innocent civilians.” He added, “Terrorists will be identified and dealt with decisively. We will eliminate them completely.”
K-P Governor Faisal Karim Kundi condemned the explosion outside Miryan Police Station in Bannu district. In a statement issued by the Governor’s House, Kundi expressed sorrow over the deaths of two individuals in the blast.
He offered prayers for the deceased and their families, praying for the elevation of the ranks of the deceased and patience for the bereaved.
The governor expressed heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the relatives of the victims and said the provincial leadership shared the grief of the families affected by the explosion.
He also denounced those responsible, stating that terrorists are enemies of humanity and the peace of the province.
K-P Opposition Leader Ibadullah Khan also condemned the attack, saying, “Elements hostile to peace want to disturb the province’s calm; the nation should unite to confront them,” said Ibadullah Khan. He added that the killing of innocent citizens in the attack is extremely regrettable.
“An attack on the province’s peace is an attack on the entire nation; the government must take immediate and effective action,” said Ibadullah Khan. “Such cowardly attacks cannot weaken our morale,” he stated.
Separately, a bridge on the Tank–Wana main road in Tank district of K-P was destroyed by explosives at the Kot Hakim location, according to police authorities.