At least 7 people were killed and nine others injured on Monday in a powerful bomb blast outside the office of a pro-government peace committee in the former stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban in Pakistan's troubled northwest. Local police chief Usman Wazir said the attack took place in Wana, the main city of South Waziristan district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. According to the hospital administration, 16 injured were brought to the hospital after the blast, seven of whom died during treatment.

Peace committee office targeted

The injured were admitted to a nearby hospital, where they are undergoing treatment. According to the hospital administration, the condition of some of the injured is said to be critical. So far no group has claimed responsibility for the bomb blast. The police officer said that the bomb targeted the office of the peace committee, which publicly opposes the Pakistan Taliban. The committee also helps in resolving disputes among the local people.

Building destroyed, many people trapped in rubble
This bomb blast came at a time when the army recently said that in a major operation, soldiers killed 54 terrorists trying to enter the country from Afghanistan in North Waziristan district. Police said that the explosion was so severe that the building of the peace committee office was destroyed and many people were trapped in the rubble.

Police, security agencies cordoned off the area

So far no official statement has been issued about the nature of the blast or the motive behind it. However, police and security agencies have cordoned off the area and started investigation. Officials have said that evidence is being collected from the spot and various aspects are being investigated to find out those responsible for the blast.

Let us tell you that after the breakdown of the ceasefire agreement with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in November 2022, terrorist incidents have seen a rise in Pakistan, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.