Two policemen martyred, 22 wounded in Wana market IED blast

• Four police officers, 18 civilians injured in explosion.
• Explosive device planted near supermarket gate in busy area.
• Incident occurs amid Op Ghazab lil-Haq targeting militants.

SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: At least two policemen were martyred and 22 others sustained wounds, including cops and civilians, after an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Rustam Bazaar of Wana town in South Waziristan district on Saturday.

The deadly explosion occurred in the Rustam Bazaar of the KP's tribal district at around 5pm. Following the incident, police cordoned off the area and launched an investigation.

This incident came amid ongoing Operation Ghazab lil-Haq launched by the Pakistani armed forces in border areas along and inside Afghanistan against terrorist elements backed by the Afghan Taliban regime.

According to police officials, the explosion occurred when policemen on routine patrol were present in the busy market place.

They added that explosive material was detonated with a loud blast, injuring policemen and civilians present at the scene, while two policemen were martyred on the spot.

Wana Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Asghar Ali Shah said that the explosive material had been planted at the main entrance of a supermarket and was detonated through a remote control or a timed device.

Immediately after the blast, local residents, police personnel and rescue teams initiated relief operations and shifted the injured to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital in Wana.

He confirmed that 18 civilians, including children, were wounded in the powerful explosion.

DHQ Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Jan Mohammad said that the bodies of two policemen were brought to the hospital, while the injured include four policemen and over a dozen of civilians.

He added that children and young individuals were also among the wounded persons who were being provided immediate medical treatment.

Following the incident, an emergency was declared at DHQ Hospital Wana to ensure timely medical care for the injured.

DSP Shah further said that Additional SHO Momin was also among the injured policemen and had been shifted to Wana Scouts Hospital in critical condition.

Police have initiated a formal investigation to determine the nature of the blast and identify those responsible, while security in the area has been further tightened.

KP Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi took notice of the IED blast and strongly condemned the incident.

The chief minister directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to submit a detailed report on the incident.

Afridi expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of two policemen and injuries to several persons, including four policemen, in the blast.

He also extended his condolences to the bereaved families, saying that the provincial government stood with the families of the martyrs in their grief.

The chief minister also directed the relevant authorities to ensure the immediate provision of the best possible medical facilities to the injured. He further ordered emergency measures for the treatment of the seriously injured SHO and ASI.

Afridi said cowardly acts of terrorists could not weaken the resolve of the people and the government.