ISLAMABAD: An improvised explosive device explosion struck a vehiclecarrying workers to a cement factory in Lakki Marwat district of KhyberPakhtunkhwa on Monday morning, resulting in one fatality and injuries to atleast eight others, including two women. The attack occurred near NawarKhel Mor on Begu Khel Road as the bus traveled from Begu Khel towards thefacility, highlighting the persistent threat of militancy in the regiondespite ongoing counter-terrorism efforts.
Police officials confirmed that the blast caused significant damage to thevehicle, leading to immediate chaos as passersby and emergency servicesrushed to assist the victims. Rescue 1122 teams promptly arrived at thescene, transferring the deceased and injured to City Hospital Lakki Marwat,where medical staff reported several patients in critical conditionrequiring urgent care. The incident disrupted local traffic and raisedfresh concerns about civilian safety.
According to law enforcement sources, the vehicle belonged to a privatecement company, possibly Lucky Cement, and was transporting employees whentargeted. Some reports indicated the explosion was followed by gunfire fromunknown assailants, though police are investigating the exact sequence. Nogroup has immediately claimed responsibility, but such tactics align withpatterns observed in attacks by banned outfits operating in the area.
The blast comes amid a surge in violence in Lakki Marwat, which recordedmultiple incidents over the weekend. Just a day earlier, four policemenwere martyred in separate firing incidents in Lakki Marwat and neighbouringBannu districts, including three traffic officers gunned down bymotorcycle-riding assailants in Sarai Naurang. Authorities have heightenedalerts across the province in response to these escalating threats.
Senior police officials strongly condemned the attack, describing it as acowardly attempt to undermine peace and target innocent civilians commutingfor work. A spokesperson emphasised that security forces remain committedto pursuing the perpetrators, vowing that such acts would not weaken theresolve to maintain order. Bomb disposal squads thoroughly examined thesite to ensure no secondary devices remained.
In the aftermath, law enforcement agencies cordoned off the affected areaand initiated a comprehensive search operation to apprehend those involved.Investigation teams are analysing remnants of the explosive device todetermine its origin and sophistication, while intelligence gatheringfocuses on potential militant hideouts in nearby mountainous terrain.
This incident underscores the broader security challenges facing KhyberPakhtunkhwa, where militant activities intensified throughout 2025.According to security reports, the province bore the brunt of terrorismlast year, with over 2,300 fatalities recorded in various attacks, markinga significant rise compared to previous periods and reflecting theresurgence of groups like Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.
Despite numerous intelligence-based operations eliminating dozens ofmilitants in districts including Lakki Marwat and Bannu, incidentstargeting civilians and infrastructure continue to occur. Experts attributethis persistence to cross-border sanctuaries and local recruitment,complicating efforts to fully eradicate the threat and restore lastingstability.
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Authorities have appealed to the public for vigilance, urging citizens toreport suspicious activities to prevent future attacks. Security measuresacross the district have been reinforced, with additional checkpoints andpatrols deployed to safeguard vulnerable routes used by workers andcommuters alike.
As investigations progress, the attack serves as a stark reminder of thehuman cost of ongoing militancy, with families mourning losses andcommunities grappling with fear. Officials reaffirm their determination toprotect lives, but achieving comprehensive peace remains a formidable taskin this volatile region.
Source:https://www.dawn.com/news/1965237/1-killed-8-injured-in-ied-attack-on-vehicle-carrying-cement-workers-in-lakki-marwat
Tags: Lakki Marwat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, IED Blast, Tehreek-i-TalibanPakistan
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