Nine killed in explosion at Pakistani marketplace

At least nine people were killed and 30 wounded in an explosion that occurred on Tuesday in Sarai Naurang, a town in Lakki Marwat district of northwestern Pakistan.

According to emergency responders and medical officials, the blast took place at a busy market in the area. Two traffic police officers and a woman are among those confirmed dead, according to local authorities.

Rescue 1122 reported that approximately 30 people were injured, with some requiring serious treatment. The patients were transported to hospitals in Bannu for further care.

The cause of the blast was attributed to a bomb-laden rickshaw. No immediate claim of responsibility has been made for the attack.

This incident comes days after an assault on a security post in the nearby Bannu district, which resulted in the deaths of 21 police officers. Pakistan’s government had previously blamed the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) group for the assault.

The Afghan Taliban administration has rejected allegations that they were involved in planning the attack. The TTP is a separate entity from the Afghan Taliban government but shares an alliance with them.

Pakistan and Afghanistan have experienced increased tensions in recent months, leading to sporadic clashes that have resulted in significant loss of life since late February. China has been mediating negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict, but cross-border violence continues despite these efforts.

Source: Al Jazeera