The roadside IED attack that left at least five people dead in Bannu’s Barghanto area has exposed what local residents describe as a double failure, the inability to prevent recurring terrorist violence and the inability to provide timely relief after tragedy strikes.
While authorities launched rescue and investigation efforts following the blast, local elders alleged that victims were left waiting for hours due to the absence of emergency assistance and poor infrastructure in the area. They alleged that the road had been shown as completed on official records despite remaining in poor condition, suggesting possible irregularities in development spending.
Residents argue that inadequate infrastructure not only delayed rescue efforts but may have contributed to the scale of the tragedy. Had proper roads existed, emergency responders could have reached the area more quickly and the injured could have been evacuated without delay.
The attack itself highlights the persistent terrorist threat facing parts of southern KP. However, the aftermath may generate equally serious questions. If local claims are accurate, why were emergency services unable to reach the victims promptly? Why were communities in a known security-sensitive area left dependent on difficult mountain tracks and unpaved routes? And what became of the funds reportedly allocated for road construction?
For grieving families, the issue is no longer limited to how the terrorists carried out the attack. It is also about whether authorities fulfilled their responsibility to protect lives before and after the explosion.
