KHYBER/SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: At least five civilians were injured when an explosive device dropped from a quadcopter fell on a house in the remote locality of Akkakhel in the restive Tirah valley on Thursday.

Local sources said that they could not immediately ascertain as to who carried out the quadcopter attack.

They said the injured persons, all young tribesmen, were immediately rushed to the FC teaching hospital in Shahkas, Jamrud, where their condition was stated to be out of danger.

The injured men were identified as Zahid Gul, Awais, Imdad Khan, Jamshed and Khalid.

Meanwhile in Lower South Waziristan, a major tragedy was averted after a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) planted near Allah Noor petrol pump in the central Rustam Bazaar area of Wana was defused.

Acting on a tip-off, DPO Mohammad Tahir Shah Wazir sent a police team led by DSP Birmal Naqeeb Khan Marwat, BDS incharge Zabihullah Khan Wazir and SHO city police station Wana Ismail Khan to the site along with a heavy contingent of police and security personnel. Police cordoned off the area, closed main Rustam Bazaar road and launched a search operation.

Initial investigations revealed that unidentified miscreants had concealed an IED inside a large drum placed beneath a cardboard on a handcart parked on the main road. According to security sources, the device was of a highly dangerous nature and could have caused significant loss of life if it detonated in the crowded market area.

The BDU successfully defused the explosive device. Later the main road was reopened to traffic. However, search and surveillance activities in the area have been intensified to prevent any further threats.

Officials said that checkpoints had been reinforced and patrolling increased in and around the bazaar.

Published in Dawn, May 15th, 2026