Blast at Peace Committee Office in South Waziristan Kills 7; TTP-linked Violence Suspected

Wana, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – A devastating explosion targeted a peace committee office in South Waziristan’s Wana City on Monday, killing at least seven people and injuring 16 others, according to local police and health officials. The attack underscores escalating security challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) amid renewed violence by banned militant groups.

Key Details of the Attack

The blast occurred around 11 a.m. during a meeting at the peace committee office, a frequent target for insurgent groups. Wana City Station House Officer (SHO) Usman Nazir confirmed to Dailyfrontlines.ca that seven fatalities were reported, with five of the 16 injured in critical condition. Among the wounded was peace committee member Saifur Rehman, though his injuries were deemed non-life-threatening.

KP Health Adviser Ehtesham Ali condemned the attack, stating that seven bodies and 15 injured victims were transferred to District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) in Wana. Hospital records, however, listed nine injured individuals, prompting authorities to verify casualty figures. An emergency was declared, and staff leaves were suspended to manage the influx of patients.

Deteriorating Security in KP

No group has claimed responsibility for the blast, but suspicions point to the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which resumed attacks after ending its ceasefire with the government in November 2022. The TTP has intensified assaults on security forces and civilian targets, destabilizing regions like South Waziristan, a historic flashpoint for militancy.

Political Condemnation and Resolve

Senator Sherry Rehman denounced the attack on social media platform X, calling it a “cowardly act” and mourning the loss of lives. “Terrorists who target innocents deserve no leniency,” she wrote, praising the resilience of security forces and civilians. Her statement referenced six fatalities, highlighting discrepancies in preliminary reports.

Historical Context of Peace Committees

Peace committees in South Waziristan date to 2007, when local leaders like Mullah Nazir spearheaded efforts to expel foreign militants. Nazir, killed in a 2013 U.S. drone strike, symbolized the complex tribal dynamics that persist in the region. These committees remain vulnerable to attacks, reflecting ongoing struggles to curb militancy.