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At least 9 killed in suspected suicide explosion in northwestern Pakistan

By The South Asia Times

PESHAWAR, Pakistan - At least nine people were killed and 35 others injured in a powerful explosion in the Sarai Naurang area of Lakki Marwat district in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, officials said Tuesday.

The blast occurred at around 10:27 AM at Naurang Phatak, Tehsil Sarai Naurang, according to Deputy Commissioner Hamidullah Khan. It is suspected that explosive material was planted in a Zaranj (loader rickshaw).

Among the nine confirmed dead, two are police personnel identified as Adil and Rahat, while the remaining seven are civilians. The injured and deceased were shifted to THQ Hospital Naurang.

Of the 35 injured, ten are reported to be in critical condition and have been referred to hospitals in Bannu for further treatment, the Deputy Commissioner said.

Emergency services responded swiftly, with eight ambulances and additional medical staff arranged from Lakki City and Bannu. Casket boxes have also been arranged for the deceased.

Deputy Commissioner Hamidullah Khan and the District Police Officer (DPO) of Lakki Marwat visited the blast site and the hospital, where they met with the injured.

"The Deputy Commissioner strictly instructed hospital staff to provide all possible facilities to the injured," an official statement said. Police have been deployed on standby and have secured the hospital premises.

The explosion is the latest in a series of escalating militant attacks targeting both security personnel and civilians across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

In recent months, violence has surged in several districts, including Lakki Marwat, Khyber, Bannu, Kurram, DI Khan, Tank, North Waziristan, South Waziristan, Kohat, and Peshawar

No group has immediately claimed responsibility for Tuesday's explosion. However, authorities suspect the involvement of Afghanistan-based militant networks TTP that have become increasingly active in the region despite ongoing counterterrorism operations.

Security forces have cordoned off the area and launched an investigation into the nature of the explosive device and how it was planted in the loader rickshaw.