Suicide bombing kills nine people in Pakistan

Police reported that a suicide bomber riding a three‑wheel vehicle packed with explosives detonated in north‑west Pakistan on Tuesday, causing at least nine fatalities and injuring 34 people.

“Initial reports indicate that the suspected attacker drove up to two traffic police officers stationed at the checkpoint before detonating the device,” senior police official Muhammad Sajjad Khan told AFP.

The incident follows a suicide attack a few days earlier in which a car bomb exploded at a checkpoint in Bannu, after which militants opened fire on police, resulting in at least 15 deaths.

Pakistan’s foreign ministry summoned the senior Afghan diplomat in Islamabad on Monday, stating that Saturday’s attack had been “masterminded by terrorists residing in Afghanistan.”

The Taliban‑led government in Afghanistan has repeatedly rejected Pakistan’s claim that Afghan territory serves as a safe haven for militants.

Tensions between the two neighbours have escalated into armed conflict in recent months, including Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan cities.

AFP

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