Bannu, June 20, 2026: At least seven people were martyred and three others injured in two consecutive explosions in the Merka Bera area of Bannu district on Saturday, according to District Police Officer (DPO) Yasir Afridi.
Police said the first blast occurred when an improvised explosive device (IED) planted along a roadside detonated, striking a passenger van travelling from Hathi Khel village to Bannu city. Five passengers were martyred on the spot in the explosion.
Shortly after the initial attack, a second explosion took place at the same location, targeting individuals involved in rescue efforts. Two more people were martyred in the second blast, while a vehicle was damaged. Three others sustained injuries in the attacks.
Rescue teams and security personnel rushed to the scene and shifted the bodies of the deceased and the injured to Khalifa Gul Nawaz Teaching Hospital for treatment and legal formalities.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, while security forces cordoned off the area to collect evidence and determine the nature of the attacks.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi condemned the incident and sought a detailed report from the relevant authorities.
Expressing deep sorrow over the loss of innocent lives, the chief minister described the attack as a tragic act of terrorism and extended condolences to the families of the victims.
“The provincial government stands in complete solidarity with the families of the martyrs during this difficult time,” he said, assuring that all possible support and assistance would be provided to the affected families.
The latest attack comes months after a suicide bombing in Bannu in April that claimed at least five lives, including three women and a child, and left several others injured. The attacker had reportedly attempted to target civilians gathered outside a police station in the district.
The incident underscores the continuing security challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where security forces have intensified counter-terrorism operations in recent months.
According to military figures, dozens of militants affiliated with Fitna al-Khawarij were killed in intelligence-based operations in North Waziristan during the first half of June. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that 48 militants were eliminated in a series of operations conducted in the region.
Pakistan has witnessed an increase in terrorist activity, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since 2021. Security forces have responded with extensive counter-terrorism operations aimed at dismantling militant networks and preventing cross-border infiltration.
Officials maintain that efforts to restore peace and stability will continue, while investigations into Saturday’s twin blasts remain underway.
