In a tragic incident on Monday morning, an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated in the Rustam Bazaar area of Wana, South Waziristan, killing three individuals, including a well-known tribal elder, and injuring four others.
The explosion took place near Gulshan Plaza as a vehicle carrying Malik Tariq Wazir, the chief of the Ahmadzai Wazir tribe, was passing through the busy marketplace. The blast resulted in immediate fatalities and left several others wounded.
Authorities revealed that unknown militants had planted the explosive device near Gulshan Plaza overnight, which was triggered as the vehicle passed by in the morning hours. Rescue teams and local residents promptly transported the deceased and injured to the District Headquarters Hospital in Wana for medical attention.
Medical Superintendent Dr. Jan Mohammad reported that two of the injured remain in critical condition and are undergoing emergency treatment. Following the blast, security forces sealed off the area and initiated a search operation to apprehend those responsible for the attack.
The explosion caused widespread panic among the crowd, forcing local traders to temporarily close their shops. Malik Tariq Wazir was regarded as an influential figure in Lower South Waziristan, known for his efforts in mediating local disputes and participating in jirgas aimed at fostering peace in the region.
Notably, Tariq had been abducted in December 2024 by armed assailants but was released after negotiations led by tribal elders. Former senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan condemned the attack, calling on authorities to uphold their constitutional duty to restore stability in the tribal districts.
This incident highlights the ongoing security challenges faced in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s tribal areas, where militant violence continues to pose a significant threat despite fluctuating levels of activity in recent years.
