On May 12, an explosion occurred at the Tehsil Sarai Nawrang Bazar market near Bannu district in northwestern Pakistan, killing 7 people, including 2 policemen and 5 civilians. Dozens of others were injured, according to local police.
This is the 2nd deadly attack in the area in a few days, raising concerns that tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan continue to escalate after fierce military clashes earlier this year.
Rescue forces have dispatched ambulances and fire trucks to the scene. Police Deputy Director Nawrang Saeed Khan said that seriously injured people have been transferred to hospitals in Bannu for treatment.
The medical director of the local hospital, Mr. Mohammad Ishaq, said that the facility has received 37 patients, some of whom are in critical condition.
Images from the scene show many stores destroyed and a vehicle heavily deformed after the explosion.
Previously, a car bomb attack with an ambush targeting a police station in the same area killed 15 Pakistani police officers. Pakistan accused Afghan-backed gunmen of being behind the attack and sent a strong protest note to Kabul.
