Blast in Makeen kills peace committee member

MIRAN SHAH:

A motorcycle-mounted improvised explosive device (IED) exploded in the busy Makeen Bazaar of Upper South Waziristan on Friday, killing a member of a local peace committee and injuring eight others, police said.

The blast occurred at around 10:45am when an explosive device planted on a motorcycle by unidentified terrorist detonated in the crowded market, according to RPO Dera Ismail Khan Ghulam Mubashir Maken.

Nine people were initially injured in the explosion, including peace committee members Inayatullah, Sharafat Khan and Bangi Khan. Inayatullah later succumbed to his injuries, raising the death toll to one.

The injured were immediately shifted to a nearby medical facility for treatment, while the injured peace committee members were later referred to Razmak Hospital for further medical care.

Dera Ismail Khan police spokesperson DSP Hidayatullah confirmed the blast and said police and security personnel cordoned off the area shortly after the incident. A search operation was launched to trace those responsible for the attack.

Police sources said the powerful explosion caused extensive damage to several shops in the market, while goods and other items inside some of the shops were also destroyed.

A heavy contingent of police and security forces reached the area immediately after the blast and began collecting evidence from the site. Security personnel also launched a search for the suspects involved in the attack.

Police officials said a preliminary report had been registered and investigations were under way to determine the circumstances and motive behind the attack. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the bombing.