Daily Times

An improvised explosive device (IED) blast near Peshawar’s Karkhano checkpost injured nine persons, including a policeman and a woman, on Tuesday.

According to the Hayatabad Medical Complex spokesperson, nine persons injured in the blast were brought to the hospital, of whom five are women. At least one woman is in critical condition, he said.

Additional Inspector General BDS Shaqat Malik said a hand grenade was used in the explosion, adding that further investigation into the incident is being carried out. Rescue 1122 workers reached the site, which has been cordoned off by the police and Bomb Disposal Unit, as personnel comb the area for evidence.

After the explosion, the road linking Jamrud and Peshawar was closed for traffic. While condemning the incident, KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan directed the provincial police chief to submit a detailed report about the explosion.

He also instructed health authorities to ensure the provision of the best available treatment to the injured. Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa Minister for Health Shahram Khan Tarakai visited the injured at the hospital. Speaking to media afterwards, he said, “The injured are being provided all possible care. Seven of the people admitted to the hospital after the blast are out of danger now,” he said.

The Karkhano police checkpost is located at the border between Peshawar and Khyber tribal districts. Multiple attacks on security forces have been carried out in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the past month. On December 19, a Frontier Corps soldier was martyred in a landmine blast in Landi Kotal while on a patrolling duty.

Another bomb blast took place on December 16 outside the KP Assembly in Peshawar, injuring at least 11 people.