A local peace committee member has been killed while eight people have been wounded in a bomb blast at a market in South Waziristan on Friday, as security concerns continue to mount in the tribal district.
The explosion occurred at around 10:45 am in Makeen Bazaar after an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) placed on a motorcycle detonated, according to Dera Ismail Khan Regional Police Officer Ghulam Mubashir Makin.
Nine people were injured in the blast, including peace committee members Inayatullah, Sharat Khan and Bangi Khan, Makin said.
Inayatullah later died after being taken to hospital, Deputy Superintendent of Police Hidayatullah said.
The three peace committee members were transported to Razmak Hospital, while the other injured victims were taken to a nearby health facility, police said.
Several shops were also damaged by the explosion, with merchandise and other goods inside the businesses destroyed, according to police.
Authorities sealed off the affected area after the blast and launched a search operation. Police personnel increased security around the market while examining the scene for evidence and searching for suspects.
Makin said a preliminary report had been registered and an investigation was under way.
Police were examining various aspects of the incident in an effort to establish who was behind the attack, he said.
Earlier on Wednesday, armed men attacked a local peace committee member in Sararogha tehsil of Upper South Waziristan. A police official was killed in that incident, while the peace committee volunteer was wounded, according to police.
