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Three people were killed while seven others were injured as a result of an explosion on Thursday in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Mardan district when an explosive device planted on a bridge was set off, police officials said.
Pakistan has seen a significant rise in terror-related incidents across the country, particularly after the militant group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) broke a truce with the government in November 2022 and began targeting security personnel.
In response to the rising terrorist attacks, the Apex Committee of National Action Plan announced the launch of Operation Azm-e-Istehkam (Resolve for Stability) last month to eradicate terrorism and extremism from the country.
Mardan District Police Officer (DPO) Zahoor Barbar Afridi told Dawn.com that the blast occurred as a police vehicle was passing along a bridge in the Takhtbhai Jalala area of the district.
“A speeding rickshaw on the bridge was also caught in the explosion, killing three people, while seven others, including two policemen, sustained injuries,” Afridi said.
Rescue 1122 confirmed that one of the deceased initially survived the blast, but succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
Superintendent of Police Saddar Circle, Khalid Khan, told Dawn.com that unidentified terrorists planted the device near the bridge and detonated it as the police vehicle was passing by.
He further said that a large contingent of police had arrived at the scene and launched a search operation, while rescue personnel shifted the wounded to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Takhtbhai.
DPO Afridi also confirmed that a search operation for suspects was underway, adding that the explosion was set off via remote control.
Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry issued a statement on the X platform condemning the blast and expressing condolences for the victims.
“Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemns the explosion near the Takhtbhai Jalala,” the tweet said.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi expresses regret for the deceased and is praying for the speedy recovery of the injured, the post added.
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