Lakki Marwat Bazaar Blast: 9 Killed, Dozens Injured in KP Explosion

At least nine people were killed and dozens injured after a powerful blast hit a crowded bazaar in Lakki Marwat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

According to police and emergency officials, the explosion took place in the busy Naurang Bazaar area, causing panic among shopkeepers, pedestrians, and local residents. Rescue teams rushed to the site and shifted the injured to nearby hospitals, while several critically wounded victims were referred to medical facilities in Bannu. Reuters reported that around 30 people were injured in the blast, while hospital officials said they had received dozens of patients, some in critical condition.

Police said the explosive device was reportedly fitted to a rickshaw. Among those killed were two traffic police officers and a woman, according to officials cited by the Associated Press. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

The blast damaged nearby shops and vehicles, while security forces cordoned off the area and launched an investigation. Initial reports suggest that the attack may be linked to rising militant violence in the region, especially in areas close to the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

The attack comes only days after a deadly assault in nearby Bannu district, where 15 police officers were killed in a car bombing and gun attack on a police post. Pakistani authorities blamed that attack on Afghanistan-based militants, increasing tensions between Islamabad and Kabul.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has witnessed a sharp rise in militant attacks in recent years, with police, security forces, and civilians frequently targeted. Lakki Marwat and nearby districts have remained among the most sensitive areas due to repeated attacks on law enforcement personnel and public places.

Authorities have not yet issued a final statement on who was behind the Lakki Marwat bazaar blast. However, security has been tightened in the area, and further investigation is underway.