Explosion in Wana Bazaar kills tribal chief, injures four in Pakistan

At least three people, including prominent tribal elder and chief of the Ahmadzai Wazir tribe Malik Tariq Wazir, were killed and four others injured in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast that struck the busy Rustam Bazaar area of Wana on May 18 morning, officials said.

According to District Police Officer (DPO) Mohammad Tahir Shah Wazir, the explosion occurred near Gulshan Plaza while a vehicle carrying Tariq was passing through the market. The powerful blast killed three people on the spot and left four others wounded, Dawn reports.

The DPO said unidentified militants had allegedly planted explosive material near Gulshan Plaza overnight, which was detonated in the morning. Following the attack, police cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to trace those responsible.

Residents and rescue workers shifted the bodies and injured to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital in Wana for treatment and legal formalities.

Medical Superintendent of DHQ Hospital Dr Jan Mohammad confirmed that two of the injured were in critical condition and receiving emergency medical care.

The blast triggered panic across the market, forcing traders and shopkeepers to temporarily shut down businesses in the area.

Tariq was considered one of the most influential tribal figures in Lower South Waziristan and had played a key role in resolving tribal disputes and participating in jirgas aimed at maintaining peace in the region.

It is pertinent to mention that Tariq had previously been abducted by armed men in December 2024 but was later released following efforts by tribal elders and local mediators.

Former Jamaat-i-Islami senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan condemned the attack and called on the state, provincial government, and security agencies to “fulfil their constitutional responsibility” and restore peace in the tribal districts.

The incident comes amid a series of violent attacks targeting tribal elders and civilians in the region.

Earlier this month, three children were killed and several others injured in two separate attacks in South Waziristan.

On May 1, tribal elder Malik Saifullah Khan Dawar was shot dead outside his home in North Waziristan after reports that he had intervened to force suspected militants to vacate a local mosque they had occupied.

In late April, unidentified gunmen killed tribal elder Malik Fazal Wahid — who had survived multiple assassination attempts in the past — in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bajaur district.

By Vafa Guliyeva