A deadly improvised explosive device (IED) blast shook the busy Rustam Bazaar area of Wana on Monday morning. The explosion resulted in the death of three people, including prominent tribal elder Malik Tariq Wazir. He was the chief of the Ahmadzai Wazir tribe. Four other individuals sustained injuries in the attack.
The explosion occurred near Gulshan Plaza in a crowded commercial zone. Malik Tariq Wazir’s vehicle was passing through the market area when the blast went off. The powerful explosion caused immediate fatalities and widespread panic among traders and residents present in the area.
District Police Officer Mohammad Tahir Shah Wazir confirmed that the explosive device had been planted overnight. According to initial findings, unidentified militants placed the IED near Gulshan Plaza under cover of darkness. The device detonated in the morning hours when movement in the market increased.
Police officials said the explosion appeared to be a targeted attack. Security forces quickly reached the site and sealed off the entire area. A search operation was launched soon after to trace those responsible for the bombing. Investigators are collecting forensic evidence from the blast site to determine the perpetrators.
Local residents and rescue teams shifted the bodies of the deceased and the injured to the District Headquarters Hospital in Wana. Medical teams are treating the injured, while authorities are completing legal and identification procedures.
The attack has intensified concerns over rising violence in the region. The province has witnessed a gradual increase in militant incidents since 2021. Security agencies are now reviewing the situation and strengthening monitoring in sensitive areas.
Officials have not yet identified the group behind the attack. Investigations are ongoing, and further details are expected as the inquiry progresses.
