• KP CM orders investigation, directs authorities to engage with local elders
• Two killed in remote-controlled bomb explosion in South Waziristan
• Cop martyred in Mardan grenade, gun attack

LAKKI MARWAT / SOUTH WAZIRISTAN / MARDAN: At least four people lost their lives, and more than two dozen were wounded in a series of violent incidents and terrorist attacks in different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday.

In Bannu city, one person was killed and 22 others were injured when gunfire caused a stampede in a peace rally, attended by thousands who were demanding security in the southern district.

In South Waziristan, two people were killed in a remote-controlled roadside bombing, police said.

In a separate terrorist attack in the northeastern Mardan district, a police guard at the Buddhist archaeological site of Takht-i-Bahi was martyred and two others were injured when unidentified assailants launched a grenade and gunfire assault on a checkpoint early Friday morning.

The peace rally in Bannu, organised by local traders and political parties, saw participants waving white flags as symbols of peace. The march culminated at the Sports Complex, where a number of speeches were delivered, including one by former senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan of Jamaat-i-Islami.

Eyewitnesses said that tensions escalated when the crowd marched towards the Bannu cantonment, setting fire to tents set up by security forces to guard a portion of a wall damaged in a terrorist attack on Sunday. Sunday’s attack on a military post in Bannu cantonment had resulted in the martyrdom of eight troops.

According to official accounts, shots were fired from an adjoining area towards the tents. Security forces returned the fire, and in the ensuing gunfire and melee, at least one person was killed and scores were injured.

The former JI parliamentarian blamed security forces for the violence, while some government officials suggested the firing stemmed from a scuffle between two groups.

As tensions flared, local authorities scrambled to restore order. District administration and police convened a jirga of local elders to pacify the situation, which was ongoing until going to print.

According to reports, the marchers came under attack when they were moving towards the Sports Complex building to attend a public meeting. Some video clips circulating on social media showed ambulances transporting the injured to hospitals.

Amid the unrest, KP government spokesperson Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif said in a video statement that Chief Mini­ster Ali Amin Khan Gandapur had ordered an investigation and directed district authorities to engage with local elders.

Mr Saif said the situation was under control. He said the chief minister had ordered an inquiry into the incident and assured that those responsible for it would be taken to task. The KP government also anno­unced compensation for the victims.

South Waziristan blast

In South Waziristan, a remote-controlled explosion killed two people and injured four others, including a police official.

Police sources told Dawn a car carrying peace committee commander Ainullah Wazir was targeted near Wana Aman Chowk in South Waziristan in the morning. Mr Wazir narrowly escaped, but two civilians lost their lives.

Mr Ainullah was an active commander of the Mullah Nazir group after the 2007 peace agreement in Wana. It has played a significant role in establishing peace in the region, with the former militant commander playing an important role in evicting foreigners, Chechens and Uzbeks.

Mardan attack

In Mardan, a grenade attack on a police post at Takht-i-Bahi archaeological site killed Constable Umar Nabi and critically injured two other officers.

The injured cops were identified as Shabbir and Muhammad Fayyaz, who were taken to Mardan Medical Complex by rescue officials.

The early morning assault saw unidentified attackers hurl a grenade and open fire before fleeing the scene.

A subsequent police search operation is underway to apprehend the culprits.

Published in Dawn, July 20th, 2024