Toll Rises to 12 in Twin Bomb Blasts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa In Suspected Terror Attack

Islamabad: At least 12 people have been killed after a bomb blast in Pakistan ’s northwestern border province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Tuesday. The attack, which took place in the Bannu Cantonment area, has left the region in shock and mourning.  

Muhammad Noman, a spokesman for Bannu District Hospital, confirmed that 12 people were killed and 30 wounded in the attack. All the victims were civilians who had been caught under collapsed buildings and walls. Among the deceased, at least seven were children, as shown in a hospital list.

A group affiliated with the Pakistan Taliban, Jaish al-Fursan, claimed responsibility for the attack. The group stated that the source of the blasts were explosive-laden vehicles. They also claimed that dozens of members of Pakistani security forces were killed, although there was no immediate comment from the military regarding any casualties.

According to police officials six attackers were killed in an “exchange of fire” after the attack. The blasts created “two four-foot craters” and were so strong that at least eight houses in the area were left damaged.

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Ali Amin Gandapur, chief minister for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, condemned the incident and said he had sought a report from senior police officials on the blast. He expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the victims' families.

The attack comes just days after a suicide bomber killed six people at an Islamic religious school in the same province, attended by key Taliban leaders. This is the third blast in Pakistan since Ramadan started on Sunday.