At least five people were martyred and several others injured when a roadside improvised explosive device (IED) detonated in the Barghanto area of Bannu district on Saturday, according to sources.
The explosion struck a Datsun pickup truck carrying members of the Hathi Khel tribe who were travelling through the remote region when the device exploded along the roadside.
Sources said five passengers were martyred in the blast, while a number of others sustained injuries. The exact casualty count could not be independently verified, and officials were still gathering information from the scene.
Police said law enforcement personnel and rescue teams were dispatched immediately after reports of the explosion emerged. However, rescue efforts have reportedly been hampered by the area’s rugged terrain, with unpaved tracks and mountainous routes causing delays in evacuating the wounded to nearby hospitals.
Authorities fear the death toll could rise due to the severity of some injuries and the difficulties faced in reaching medical facilities.
Security forces and police have begun collecting evidence from the blast site, while an investigation has been launched to determine who was behind the attack. No terrorist group had claimed responsibility for the bombing at the time of filing this report.
Bannu and adjoining districts have witnessed a surge in terrorist violence in recent years, with roadside bombings remaining one of the most commonly used tactics against civilians and security personnel in remote areas. Officials are expected to release further details once rescue operations are completed and casualties are formally confirmed.
