At least five people, including an assistant commissioner, were killed and 11 others injured on Wednesday in a bomb explosion in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bajaur district.
Bajaur District Police Officer Waqas Rafique told Dawn.com that five people were killed in the explosion targeting a government vehicle on Nawagai Road in Siddiqabad railway attack area of Khar tehsil.
Two policeman and a civilian are among the dead, Rafique said.
“The blast was so intense that the vehicle targeted was completely destroyed,” he said, adding that 11 people injured in the blast and were immediately transported to Khar Hospital.
The DPO said that security had been increased in the area and relief activities were underway.
The deceased include Nawagai Assistant Commissioner Faisal Ismail, Tehsildar Abdul Wakil, subedar Noor Hakim, and police constable Rashid.
Health Adviser Ihtisham Ali strongly condemned the blast and expressed grief over the demise of the assistant commissioner and others in the incident.
He contacted the district health officer and the medical superintendent of the DHQ hospital in Bajaur and enquired after the well-being of the people injured in the attack.
“An emergency has been imposed in Bajaur hospitals and health department staff has been alerted for first aid,” he said.
The health adviser assured the pubic that medical assistance will be provided to the injured in the blast.
KP government spokesperson Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif strongly condemned the incident and said the loss of lives was regrettable.
“The KP chief minister has issued orders for an enquiry into the incident and provide medical facilities to the injured, Saif said.
“Those who are hostile elements to the country will not be allowed to succeed in their nefarious purposes, and will be brought to justice.”
