BANNU: Seven people were killed and three others injured in two explosions in Marka Bera, a semi-tribal mountainous area of Bannu’s Wazir sub-division.

Bannu District Police Officer (DPO) Yasir Afridi confirmed that a total of seven people were martyred and three others were injured in the two blasts.

He said security forces and law enforcement agencies immediately reached the area, collected evidence, and launched an investigation into the incidents.

In a statement, the police said the two vehicles were targeted in “remote-controlled blasts” in the Phang Musa Khel area, terming the incidents a “cowardly act of terrorism”.

According to the statement, a private Datsun vehicle carrying passengers was targeted first. The wounded from that blast were being taken to a hospital for treatment when the second blast occurred.

According to police and local sources, the Datsun vehicle was travelling towards Domel when it was hit. Five people were killed in the blast, while the vehicle was completely destroyed.

Eyewitnesses said the second explosion occurred nearly a kilometre away from the site of the first blast. It killed two people, also destroying the vehicle they were in.

Rescue 1122 teams subsequently shifted the bodies and injured victims to Domel Rural Health Centre and Khalifa Gul Nawaz Teaching Hospital.

Meanwhile, security forces cordoned off the area and initiated a search operation. Authorities were also conducting a thorough sweep amid concerns that additional explosive devices may still be present.

President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the “improvised explosive device” and expressed his deep grief on the loss of innocent civilians’ lives.

In a statement, he extended his condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

“President Zardari warned the terrorists’ internal and external patrons who provide them with safe havens, logistics and financial assistance,” the presidency said.

The president noted that terrorists wanted to undermine “Pakistan’s international diplomatic successes and efforts to promote peace”. Nevertheless, he affirmed that Pakistan would maintain its support for regional and global peace, and the “terrorists will be defeated”.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the blasts and conveyed his grief over the deaths, state-run APP reported.

He prayed for the elevated ranks of those killed in the blasts and for the complete recovery of the wounded.

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq also strongly condemned the incident and expressed deep sorrow and grief over the loss of precious human lives.

In a statement, the speaker said targeting innocent civilians was an extremely cowardly and shameful act, adding that terrorist elements would never succeed in their nefarious designs.

He said the entire nation stood united for the eradication of terrorism and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the explosions.

Terrorism surge in Bannu

Saturday’s incident highlights the persistent security challenges facing remote mountainous areas of Bannu and has raised concerns among residents regarding the safety of civilians travelling through the area.

Bannu district has been the scene of repeated security incidents in recent months, with both civilians and local security forces coming under attack amid a broader surge in militant violence.

A week ago, militants attempted to destroy the Teri Ram Bridge on the district’s Miryan Road with explosives, causing partial damage to the bridge.

On June 12, two police constables were martyred in separate incidents of targeted killings in Bannu.

Last month, at least two police personnel and as many civilians were martyred, while 25 terrorists were killed in a fierce clash between law enforcers, a peace committee and militants.

Amid the terrorism surge, a jirga held on Thursday demanded that the government take immediate steps and root out militancy from the region.