Wana IED Blast Leaves Four Dead, 14 Hurt

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WANA – Two people were killed and 14 others injured on Tuesday when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated in the busy Rustam Bazaar of Wana, the administrative center of South Waziristan, local officials confirmed.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Imran Ullah stated that the device had been planted on a motorcycle parked in front of several shops. The explosion occurred during peak business hours, sending shockwaves through the crowded market. Eyewitnesses reported scenes of chaos, with shopkeepers and customers scrambling for safety as debris and dust filled the air.

Police identified the deceased as Shakirullah, a resident of Makin, and Shahid, a local from Wana. The injured included both shopkeepers and passersby, several of whom were critically hurt. Emergency responders provided first aid on-site before transporting victims to Wana Civil Hospital. Due to the severity of some injuries, multiple patients were later shifted to Dera Ismail Khan for specialized treatment.

Security forces quickly sealed off the blast site, deploying a bomb disposal unit to ensure no secondary devices were present. Investigators have not yet confirmed the group responsible for the attack, though authorities suspect the involvement of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has a history of targeting public areas in South Waziristan.

This attack comes amid heightened security concerns in the region. Since the collapse of a ceasefire agreement between the Pakistani government and the TTP in late 2022, South Waziristan has witnessed a surge in militant incidents. In April this year, a roadside bombing in the same district claimed the lives of three security personnel, while several other attacks have targeted both civilian and military convoys.

Local resident Hamid Khan described the explosion as the “loudest in years,” saying he saw wounded men lying in the street as shopfronts were shattered. “People were screaming and running in all directions,” he recounted.

Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant, avoid suspicious objects, and immediately report any unusual activity to law enforcement. Additional patrols have been ordered in Wana and the surrounding areas to prevent further incidents.

Funeral prayers for the victims will be held in their hometowns under tight security. The government has pledged medical support for the injured and compensation for the families of those killed.