Peshawar, Pakistan – At least seven people were killed and 20 others wounded on Tuesday in a suicide bombing that targeted a security checkpoint in northwestern Pakistan.
The blast is the latest in a series of attacks in the volatile region near the Afghan border.
Pakistani police said a suicide bomber driving a three-wheeled vehicle packed with explosives detonated it near
a highway patrol checkpoint in the Sarai Norang area of Lakki Marwat district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Media outlets quoted security official Muhammad Sajjad Khan as saying the attacker approached two police officers before detonating the vehicle.
The attack resulted in casualties and damage to the site.
Escalation of armed attacks
The attack comes days after another suicide car bombing targeted a police checkpoint in the Bannu district of northwestern Pakistan.
That bombing was followed by a gun battle with security forces that left 15 police officers dead.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has seen a marked increase in militant attacks in recent months.
This escalation is particularly evident in areas near the Afghan border,
where militant groups are active, targeting security forces and government facilities.
Following the bombing, Pakistani authorities cordoned off the area.
Ambulance and civil defense teams rushed to the scene to transport the wounded to nearby hospitals.
Fears of a deteriorating security situation
Security forces have launched a large-scale search operation in the area,
while simultaneously opening an investigation to determine the circumstances of the attack and those involved.
The recurrence of suicide attacks in northwestern Pakistan is raising growing concerns about the deteriorating security situation,
despite ongoing military operations by Pakistani forces against armed groups.
Pakistani authorities affirm their continued efforts to strengthen security measures and pursue militants.
This includes border areas, which have witnessed intense activity by armed groups.
