Just hours ago (May 12), a powerful blast took place in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province, which left at least 9 people dead and nearly 30 injured, just days after the car bomb blast that killed 15 policemen in KPK.
Today’s explosion occurred at Naurang Bazar, Lakki Marwat district of KPK province, reportedly killing 2 traffic police officials and a woman among others.
Details of the explosion
As per initial information, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was latched to a rickshaw, which was detonated close to a police vehicle in a suicide attack.
Scenes of chaos could be observed in the crowded market after the blast occurred, that also destroyed multiple shopfronts.
As per the medical superintendent of THQ Hospital, 37 patients were brought in, with several suffering severe injuries.
Who’s behind the blast?
Till now, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack.
However, the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is most-likely behind today’s explosion.
Previous car bomb blast
On May 9, at least 15 Pakistani policemen were killed in a suicide car bomb attack and gunfight in Bannu district of KPK.
Pakistan held the TTP responsible for this attack, where it even summoned a senior Afghanistan official to formally protest against the suicide blast.
TTP is closely associated with the Taliban regime currently in-charge of Afghanistan. TTP is known for carrying out violent attacks on Pakistan with alleged backing of Afghan Taliban regime, an accusation which the Taliban has denied.
Difficult times for Afghanistan-Pakistan relations
These attacks have worsened the already strained Afghanistan and Pakistan bilateral ties.
The dispute arises from the Durand line that forms the border between KPK and Afghanistan.
Pakistan, in the past, has launched massive air strikes in Afghanistan, that killed countless civilians.
This signals rising tensions between the two countries since their small-scale conflict in February.
