In a brazen act of sabotage, unidentified assailants demolished a vital bridge over the Kurram River in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Wednesday. The explosion in Shewa tehsil of North Waziristan district has severed critical ground connections between the area and major towns like Miranshah and Bannu.
The early morning blast echoed for miles, sending shockwaves through local communities already on edge in this volatile region. Security forces swiftly cordoned off the site and launched an investigation, but no group has claimed responsibility yet.
This bridge served as a lifeline for daily commuters, students, traders, patients, and government workers. Its destruction disrupts healthcare access, supply chains for essentials, and commercial activities, forcing residents onto arduous detours.
North Waziristan has long been a hotspot for militancy, but recent months have seen a surge in infrastructure attacks across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Just last month, assailants targeted two government schools in Mir Ali tehsil within a week. A prior incident in Bannu district last December also saw a link bridge blown up.
Pakistan’s Human Rights Commission has repeatedly flagged deteriorating law and order in the province, warning of escalating threats into 2025. As repair efforts begin, locals brace for prolonged isolation and heightened risks in this restive borderland.