WANA, KP – August 7, 2025
At least two people were killed and 20 others injured on Thursday in a bomb blast targeting a police vehicle in the Rustam Bazaar area of Wana, located in Lower South Waziristan, part of Pakistan’s restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province.
According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Imranullah, the explosion was caused by a remote-controlled improvised explosive device (IED) planted along the route of the police patrol. The incident occurred in a busy commercial area, amplifying the impact and injuries among civilians.
Casualties and Response
The District Headquarters Hospital Wana confirmed receiving two deceased, while 12 individuals sustained major injuries and another eight suffered minor wounds. Among the injured were two police personnel — Zubair Salaam Khan and Fareedun Zubair, hailing from Dabkot and Birmal tehsils, respectively.
District Police Officer Tahir Khan stated that emergency measures were activated immediately, with all wounded transported to local medical facilities. The area was swiftly cordoned off and a search operation launched to trace those responsible.
Authorities are currently investigating the type and origin of the explosive device, and have vowed stricter enforcement of public safety in Rustam Bazaar, following community concerns about the unregulated presence of armed men.
Spike in Terror Activity Across KP
This attack follows a string of violent incidents in KP in recent days:
- Upper South Waziristan: A police constable was injured in an attack on the vehicle of Deputy Commissioner Asmatullah Wazir in Ladha tehsil.
- Karak & Peshawar: Seven people, including four security personnel and a policeman, were killed in two separate gunfire incidents.
- Bannu District:
- A late-night assault on Khuni Khel police post left one officer injured.
- Militants used light and heavy weapons in the attack, reportedly carried out by TTP and TTG, now operating jointly under the name Al-Ittihad al-Mujahideen.
- A recent exchange of fire at another checkpoint resulted in the deaths of one police constable and three militants, with several other officers wounded.
- Quadcopter-based attacks, believed to be coordinated by the TTP, have also been reported in Bannu over the past month.
Balochistan Attack Adds to Security Challenges
Meanwhile, in Balochistan’s Mastung district, a deadly IED attack on a military vehicle resulted in the deaths of Major Muhammad Rizwan Tahir, Naik Ibni Amin, and Lance Naik Muhammad Younas. The military’s media wing, ISPR, attributed the incident to a group it identifies as Fitna al-Hindustan, claiming it to be backed by Indian interests.
Broader Context
Security analysts warn of a sustained resurgence in militant activity since the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) unilaterally ended its ceasefire with the government in 2022. The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) reported 82 militant attacks in July alone, with KP accounting for 53 of them.
Earlier, in June, 78 attacks nationwide resulted in 100 fatalities, including 53 security officials and 39 civilians, indicating a worsening trend in 2025 despite brief lulls in violence.
Tensions and Local Backlash
Recent unrest in Wana is compounded by tribal tensions, such as the deadly confrontation last Sunday between the TTP’s Gul Bahadar group and relatives of tribal elder Malik Ashiq Noor, which left three individuals dead, including two militant commanders.
The free movement of armed groups in public spaces has led to rising discontent among residents. Officials now pledge to impose tighter control measures to prevent further deterioration of the region’s security environment.
Conclusion
As violence escalates across KP and Balochistan, particularly targeting police and security forces, government authorities face mounting pressure to reinstate law and order while managing civilian fears and regional tensions.
