LOWER SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: At least three people, including prominent tribal elder and chief of the Ahmadzai Wazir tribe Malik Tariq Wazir, were killed while four others sustained injuries in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast that struck the busy Rustam Bazaar area of Wana on Monday morning, officials said.

According to District Police Officer (DPO) Mohammad Tahir Shah Wazir, the explosion occurred near Gulshan Plaza when a vehicle with Tariq on board was passing through the market. The powerful blast resulted in the deaths of three individuals on the spot, while four others were wounded, the official said.

The DPO said unidentified militants had allegedly planted explosive material near Gulshan Plaza during the night, which was detonated in the morning. Soon after the incident, police personnel cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to trace those involved in the attack.

Residents and rescue workers shifted the bodies and injured persons to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital in Wana for medical treatment and legal formalities.

According to the police report, those killed in the incident were Tariq, Sarfraz Khan and Abdul Jabbar. The injured were identified as Saeed Anwar, Umar, Rashid Khan, and Sabir.

Medical superintendent of the DHQ Hospital, Dr Jan Mohammad, confirmed that two of the injured were in critical condition and were being provided emergency medical care.

The explosion created panic and fear across the market, forcing traders and shopkeepers to temporarily shut down businesses in the area.

Tariq was regarded as an influential tribal figure in the Lower South Waziristan district and played a significant role in resolving tribal disputes and participating in jirgas aimed at maintaining peace in the region.

It is pertinent to mention that Tariq had previously been abducted by armed men in December 2024 but was later released after efforts by tribal elders and local mediators.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi took notice of the blast and sought a report from the police.

Expressing deep sorrow and grief over the loss of lives, he extended heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the bereaved families.

The KP CM also expressed best wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured and directed the concerned authorities to ensure the provision of the best possible medical treatment.

“We will not leave the grieving families alone during this difficult time. The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, along with police and security personnel, are rendering immense sacrifices for peace, and these sacrifices will never go in vain,” Afridi said.

Former Jamaat-i-Islami senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan condemned the incident, calling on the state, the provincial government, and security agencies to “fulfil their constitutional responsibility” and restore peace in the tribal districts.

Earlier this month, three children lost their lives and several people were injured in two separate attacks in South Waziristan.

On May 1, tribal elder Malik Saifullah Khan Dawar was shot dead outside his house in North Waziristan following reports that he had intervened and forced suspected militants to vacate a local mosque that they had occupied.

In late April, unidentified gunmen killed tribal elder Malik Fazal Wahid, who had also survived multiple assassination attempts in the past, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bajaur district.