At least nine people were killed and more than two dozen injured on Tuesday after a bomb attached to a rickshaw exploded in a busy market area in northwest Pakistan, highlighting worsening insecurity in regions bordering Afghanistan.
The blast occurred in the Lakki Marwat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to local police chief Azmat Ullah. Among those killed were two traffic police officers and a woman, while many of the wounded were civilians passing through the crowded bazaar at the time of the explosion.
Police said the explosive device had been rigged to a rickshaw and detonated in a busy commercial area, damaging nearby shops and vehicles. Authorities believe traffic police officers may have been the intended target of the attack.
No group immediately claimed responsibility.
Rising Violence in Northwest Pakistan
Suspicion initially fell on Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, commonly known as the Pakistani Taliban, which has intensified attacks against Pakistani security forces in recent years.
The militant group, which is separate from but ideologically aligned with Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers, denied involvement in Tuesday’s bombing. In a statement, the group said it had learned of the attack but was not responsible.
The bombing comes amid a broader surge in militant violence across Pakistan’s northwestern regions, particularly in districts close to the Afghan border.
Just days earlier, at least 15 police officers were killed in a suicide bombing and gun assault targeting a security post in the nearby Bannu district. The attack prompted Islamabad to summon a senior Afghan diplomat and formally accuse Afghanistan based militants of involvement.
Pakistan on Monday directly blamed militants operating from Afghan territory for the Bannu assault.
Kabul Rejects Pakistan’s Accusations
The Taliban administration in Kabul strongly rejected Pakistan’s allegations.
On Tuesday, Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid dismissed claims that the Bannu attack had been planned in Afghanistan, calling the accusations baseless.
“The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan believes that problems can be resolved through understanding, mutual respect and genuine cooperation, rather than accusations, threats and emotional reactions,” Mujahid wrote on X.
He reiterated Kabul’s position that Afghan territory would not be allowed to be used for attacks against other countries and said the Taliban government remained committed to regional stability.
Pakistan Vows Crackdown On Militancy
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned Tuesday’s bombing and expressed condolences to the families of the victims.
In a statement, Sharif said the government remained committed to eliminating terrorism and would not allow militant groups to undermine peace and development in the country. He ordered authorities to complete a swift investigation and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan’s Taliban government of providing sanctuary to militants linked to the Pakistani Taliban and other armed groups. Kabul has consistently denied the accusations.
Relations between the two neighbours have become increasingly strained since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in 2021 following the withdrawal of U.S. led forces from Afghanistan.
Cross border tensions have escalated in recent months, including deadly clashes that have killed hundreds of people since late February. Although peace talks mediated by China were held in April, sporadic fighting along the border has continued.
Security analysts say militant groups have become more emboldened since the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, contributing to a sharp rise in attacks targeting Pakistani security forces and civilians alike.
The latest bombing in Lakki Marwat is expected to deepen concerns about the deteriorating security situation in Pakistan’s northwest as authorities struggle to contain growing militant activity.
