An explosion at a marketplace in northwestern Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Tuesday killed at least nine people and injured more than 20 others, Anadolu Agency reports citing a local administration official.
The blast occurred in the town of Sarai Naurang, in Lakki Marwat district, the official said on condition of anonymity.
“Right now, I am at the hospital, (and) nine bodies had been brought here, so far. At least 22 injured people are also receiving treatment,” he added.
Among the dead were two police personnel, the official said, adding that authorities have not yet confirmed the nature of the explosion.
No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.
Security forces cordoned off the area and launched an investigation into the blast, while rescue teams continued transferring the injured to nearby hospitals.
Pakistan’s northwestern regions have witnessed a rise in militant attacks in recent years, particularly targeting security forces and civilians.
Islamabad has repeatedly accused the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) of operating from safe havens in neighboring Afghanistan.
Kabul, however, has denied the allegations, saying the group has no presence on Afghan soil.
