Explosion
PESHAWAR: A roadside blast near a school and a bank in Peshawar has left seven people injured, including three children. The incident occurred around 9:10 am on Warsak Road, with police attributing it to an explosion of hidden explosives, weighing 4kg in a cement block. Two critically injured children, aged 7 to 10, were rushed to Lady Reading Hospital. Superintendent Police Arshad Khan mentioned a search operation in the area, considering the possibility of extortion in the blast.
Rescue teams and police responded promptly to the incident in the Babu Garhi area, where the blast shattered glass in vehicles and nearby buildings. Mayor Metropolitan Zubair Ali condemned the act, describing it as an attempt to disrupt peace and order, particularly near educational institutions.
The surge in militant activities in Pakistan over the past year has heightened security concerns, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan facing increased attacks. In the last month alone, there was a notable rise of 34% in militant activities, resulting in 83 fatalities and 89 injuries. Security forces responded with precision, eliminating 59 militants and apprehending 18 suspected individuals.
Data from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) revealed a cumulative toll for the first 11 months of 2023, with 599 militant attacks, 897 fatalities, and 1,241 injuries. This signifies an 81% increase in attacks, an 86% surge in deaths, and a 64% rise in injuries compared to the same period in 2022.
The Peshawar blast adds to the security challenges faced by Pakistan, highlighting the need for continued efforts to address and prevent such incidents.
