Seven killed as twin roadside blasts hit rescue effort in Pakistan's Bannu

Peshawar,UPDATED: Jun 20, 2026 13:50 IST

At least seven people were killed and three others were injured in twin roadside blasts in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Saturday, police said. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

The explosions took place in the Marka Bera area of Bannu district. Officials said a passenger van travelling from Hathi Khel village to Bannu city was hit in the first blast, and a second explosion followed shortly afterwards at the same spot, targeting people involved in rescue efforts.

According to Bannu District Police Officer Yasir Afridi, the first explosion took place when an improvised explosive device planted along a roadside detonated and struck the van, killing five people on the spot. He said the second blast killed two more people and also damaged a vehicle.

The injured and the bodies of those killed were shifted to a nearby hospital, and an investigation has been launched, the DPO said. Security forces and law enforcement agencies have cordoned off the area and started collecting evidence from the blast site.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi strongly condemned the incident and directed police authorities to submit a detailed report. He also ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the blasts. Calling the incident "highly tragic" and "heartbreaking", he extended sympathies to the bereaved families and said the provincial government would provide all possible support during this difficult time. He also instructed the relevant authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for those injured. "The provincial government will not leave the affected families alone in this hour of grief," the chief minister said. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also condemned the blasts.

In all, the twin blasts in Bannu district left seven people dead and three injured, with authorities investigating the attack and no group having claimed responsibility yet.

With PTI Inputs

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