A shocking suicide bombing tore through a wedding celebration in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province late Friday night, claiming at least six lives and injuring over a dozen others. The attack targeted the home of Noor Alam Mehsud, a prominent leader of a local peace committee, in Dera Ismail Khan district.
Chaos erupted as the blast ripped apart the joyous gathering. Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic with guests fleeing in terror amid flying debris and gunfire from the attackers. Noor Alam Mehsud himself sustained injuries in the assault, adding to the tragedy.
Local police swiftly cordoned off the area, with forensic teams scouring the site for hours. Investigators recovered the severed head of the suicide bomber, believed to be a teenager around 17 years old. Authorities confirmed it was a suicide attack, followed by shooting from the perpetrators who escaped initially.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afriidi condemned the barbaric act in the strongest terms, demanding an immediate report from provincial police chief and ensuring top medical care for the wounded. ‘Those responsible will face the full force of justice,’ he vowed.
This region, bordering Afghanistan, has become a hotspot for such violence. It’s not the first attempt on Mehsud’s life; a similar failed suicide bid targeted his office in 2022. Recent months have seen escalating attacks, including a bomb blast on a police vehicle last month that killed three officers.
Data from security think tanks reveals a grim trend: violence across Pakistan surged over 25% last year, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa bearing the brunt—68% of fatalities and 62% of incidents. As investigations continue, questions loom over the persistent threat from militants exploiting border vulnerabilities.