LAKKI MARWAT/SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: A policeman was martyred and six suffered injuries when the patrol van they travelled in was targeted by terrorists with an improvised explosive device in Karak district on Monday.

The explosion occurred when the counter-terrorism department’s commandos along with a large police contingent were busy in a search and strike operation in the Ghol dam area, according to spokesman for Karak district police officer Shaukat Khan.

He said that the IED planted alongside the road went off with a loud bang when the police patrol van was passing through the area.

The official said that the blast damaged the police van. He identified the martyred policeman as constable Wajid.

Man, three children injured in S. Waziristan quadcopter attack

“After the explosion, district police officer Imran Khan along with additional force reached the venue and evacuated the body and injured personnel from the van,” he said, adding that the body and the injured were transported to the district headquarters hospital.

Later, DPO Imran visited the hospital and inquired after the injured personnel.

Meanwhile, a proclaimed offender was killed in an exchange of fire in the Titterkhel area of Lakki Marwat district, police said on Monday.

A police official said that personnel from the Ghaznikhel police station were on a routine patrol on the Titterkhel Bypass Road when it received information about the presence of two wanted men, including Safiullah and Waseem, near the old bank building.

“The police immediately moved to the area to arrest the wanted men,” he said, saying that when law-enforcers reached near the old bank building, the outlaws opened fire on them.

The official said that in the ensuing fire, PO Safiullah was killed, while the other criminal fled.

The policemen seized a pistol, ammunition and a motorcycle after the shootout. He said the two outlaws were wanted in robbery cases.

He said that police registered a case and began an investigation.

Meanwhile, a man and his three children were injured in a suspected quadcopter attack on a house in Splay Panra area of Toi Khulla tehsil in Lower South Waziristan on Monday morning, local sources said.

The sources said that the incident took place at around 9am when a quadcopter, which had been flying over different parts of the area since early morning, targeted a house in Splay Panra.

The injured were identified as seven-year-old Bibi Laila, two-year-old Haroon, four-year-old Yaqoob and their father, Amir Jan. The injured were taken to the District Headquarters Hospital, Wana, where they were being treated.

The sources said the suspected quadcopter had been flying over the area since early morning before the attack. However, further details were not immediately known. Authorities didn’t issue any statement about the incident.

Residents voiced concern about repeated quadcopter flights and attacks in parts of Lower South Waziristan and complained about fear and insecurity.

Local sources said dozens of incidents involving quadcopters have been reported in parts of Lower South Waziristan district last year.

They claimed that some incidents resulted in civilian casualties. The residents called for effective measures to ensure the safety and security of civilians in the area.

They urged authorities to investigate the incident and take steps to prevent such incidents in the future.

Rescue sources said that three of the four members of the same family, including two children, who were injured in a suspected quadcopter attack in Toi Khulla, Lower South Waziristan, had been shifted to Dera Ismail Khan for further treatment.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2026