SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: An improvised explosive device (IED) blast occurred on Thursday near Shahzada Wazir Mosque in the Azam Warsak bazaar of Birmal tehsil in Lower South Waziristan, police said.

According to sources, unidentified individuals had planted an IED in a garbage dump adjacent to a mosque during the night. The device exploded early Thursday, triggering panic in the area. However, no loss of life was reported.

Deputy Commissioner Nasser Khan confirmed that the explosion caused partial damage to the windowpanes of a vehicle parked nearby. “An investigation into the incident has been initiated,” he added.

Meanwhile, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam–Fazal (JUI-F) sources claimed that the intended target of the blast was their local leaders Maulana Noorullah, Maulana Amanullah, and Maulana Ishaq, who were present in the vicinity at the time.

It may be recalled that a similar incident occurred at the same location on Nov 18, 2024, when Maulana Shahzada Wazir was targeted in an IED explosion. That blast resulted in the death of a woman and injuries to six others, including Maulana Shahzada.

Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2025