Market Bomb Blast in Northwest Pakistan Kills at Least Nine, Injures Dozens
LAKKI MARWAT, Pakistan — May 12, 2026 — An explosion at a crowded marketplace in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Tuesday, May 12, killed at least nine people and injured more than two dozen others, officials said, in the second major attack targeting security forces in the region in less than a week.
The blast occurred in the town of Sarai Naurang, in Lakki Marwat district, a volatile region near the border with Afghanistan, according to local administration and police officials .
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A bomb-laden loader rickshaw, parked in the busy market area, was detonated remotely . The target appeared to be a police vehicle on routine patrol, escalating the number of civilian casualties in the bustling commercial area .
Casualty Figures
Hospital and police officials provided casualty estimates that varied slightly as rescue operations continued. At the District Headquarters Hospital (THQ) in Sarai Naurang, medical superintendent Mohammad Ishaq confirmed that the facility had received 37 patients .
Deputy Commissioner Hamidullah Khan confirmed that the death toll had reached nine, with 35 injured . Among the deceased were two traffic police personnel who were on duty at the time of the explosion . Several women and children present in the market for routine shopping were also among the wounded .
Officials warned that the death toll could rise further as several of the injured remain in critical condition and have been transferred to larger hospitals in the neighboring Bannu district for specialized care .
Attack Method
Police sources confirmed that the explosive device was planted in a loader rickshaw, a common three-wheeled transport vehicle. The blast was powerful enough to cause significant damage to surrounding structures and vehicles, creating panic among shoppers and traders .
“Initial investigations suggest a remote-controlled device was used,” a senior police official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The attack targeted a police van that was conducting a routine patrol in the area, police said. The patrol was part of standard security measures at the market .
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Response and Investigation
Emergency service Rescue 1122 teams rushed to the scene immediately following the blast. Security forces cordoned off the entire area as bomb disposal squads collected forensic evidence to determine the exact nature of the explosives used .
Police have launched a search operation in the vicinity to track down those responsible. The injured and deceased were shifted to Naurang Hospital for treatment and identification, where emergency measures were enforced and additional medical staff were called in to manage the influx of casualties .
Local residents joined rescue efforts, helping transport the wounded to hospitals and gathering at medical facilities to donate blood for the injured .
No Claim of Responsibility
No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack . However, suspicion is likely to fall on the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban. The group has stepped up attacks on security forces in recent months, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which has borne the brunt of militant violence .
Recent Pattern of Violence
Tuesday’s blast is the second major attack in the region in less than a week. On Saturday, May 9, militants drove a car loaded with explosives into a police checkpoint in Bannu district, killing at least 15 police officers before opening fire on remaining personnel .
Following that attack, Pakistan summoned Afghanistan’s top diplomat to lodge a formal complaint, alleging that the Pakistani Taliban operates from safe havens across the border. The Afghan Taliban government has denied the allegations .
Pakistan’s northwestern tribal regions, bordering Afghanistan, have witnessed a rise in militant attacks in recent years, particularly targeting security forces and civilian infrastructure. The porous nature of the border has allowed militants to stage cross-border operations .
Authorities have launched a thorough investigation into Tuesday’s blast, but no further details regarding suspects or arrests have been released as of Tuesday evening. Security forces remain on high alert across the province as counter-militancy operations continue in the region .
SOURCES / INPUTS
Bernama: At Least 9 Killed, Over 20 Wounded In Market Explosion In Northwestern Pakistan
Al Jazeera: At least nine people killed in explosion at Pakistan market
Anadolu Ajansı: At least 9 killed, 35 wounded in market explosion in NW Pakistan
Pakistan Observer: At least seven people, including cop, killed in Lakki Marwat blast
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