LAKKI MARWAT, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa - In a brutal act of terrorism, a powerful explosion ripped through the main market square in Sarai Naurang, Lakki Marwat, on Tuesday, martyring at least nine civilians - including two traffic police officers - and injuring 42 others, among them women and children.
The blast, carried out using an explosives-laden Zaranj rickshaw, targeted one of the busiest commercial areas in the district, causing widespread destruction and panic. The attack bears the unmistakable fingerprints of Indian-sponsored Fitna al-Khwarij terrorists, who continue to operate from safe havens inside Afghanistan under the protection of the Afghan Taliban regime.
According to hospital sources, the death toll is feared to rise as several of the injured remain in critical condition .
The explosion occurred in the main market square of Sarai Naurang, a bustling commercial hub in Lakki Marwat district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province . The area was crowded with shoppers, vendors, and daily commuters when the rickshaw loaded with explosives detonated.
The blast was so powerful that nearby shops, stalls, and parked vehicles were severely damaged. Rescue teams rushed to the scene and shifted the injured to the District Headquarters Hospital Lakki Marwat, where an emergency was declared due to the high number of casualties .
Medical Superintendent Dr. Khushdil Khan told media that 42 injured persons had been brought to the hospital, many of whom sustained critical burn injuries and shrapnel wounds . He confirmed that the condition of several patients remains critical, and the death toll could increase .
| Category | Martyred | Injured |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Police Officers | 2 | 0 |
| Civilians (including women & children) | 7 | 42 |
| Total | 9 | 42 |
All victims are civilians, including two traffic police officers who were performing their duties in the market area at the time of the blast. The indiscriminate nature of the attack - targeting a civilian market square - exposes the cowardice and desperation of the terrorist network responsible.
The attack bears all the hallmarks of Indian-sponsored Fitna al-Khwarij terrorists, who have been increasingly targeting civilians and soft targets following their battlefield defeats at the hands of Pakistan's security forces.
Recent admissions by Indian journalists and a retired Indian Colonel have confirmed what Pakistan has long asserted: India sponsors terrorist activities inside Pakistan .
| Evidence Source | Confession |
|---|---|
| Aditya Raj Kaul (Indian journalist) | "Our identity for carrying out terrorism in Pakistan can be anything" - RAW operatives use Afghan, Indian, Bangladeshi, or Baloch fronts. |
| Retired Indian Colonel Rajesh Power | "Fitna al-Khawarij uses Afghan territory to carry out terrorist attacks in Pakistan," receiving financial support from India. |
The Zaranj rickshaw used in the Lakki Marwat blast is a common mode of transport across the region. Terrorists have previously used such vehicles for IED attacks, exploiting their ability to move unnoticed through populated areas. The targeting of a civilian market square - rather than a military installation - confirms that these Indian-backed proxies are waging a war against innocent Pakistanis.
The Lakki Marwat blast is the latest in a string of terrorist attacks targeting civilians following Pakistan's decisive victories in Marka-e-Haq and Operation Ghazab Lil Haq .
Unable to confront Pakistan's armed forces directly, the Khwarij have resorted to targeting soft targets and unarmed civilians:
| Recent Attacks | Date | Casualties |
|---|---|---|
| Bannu Police Station Attack | May 9, 2026 | 15 police martyred |
| South Waziristan Suicide Bombing | May 3, 2026 | 1 civilian martyred, 19 injured |
| Lakki Marwat Market Blast | May 12, 2026 | 9 martyred, 42 injured |
These attacks are a clear sign of desperation. The terrorists have lost the ability to fight face-to-face with Pakistan's armed forces. Their sanctuaries inside Afghanistan are under sustained pressure from Operation Ghazab Lil Haq. Their leadership is being systematically eliminated.
And so they target innocent civilians - because they cannot target Pakistan's soldiers.
The Fitna al-Khwarij network operates openly from Afghan soil, under the direct protection of the Afghan Taliban regime . The group's leadership is based in Afghanistan's Paktika province, where they run training camps and plan cross-border attacks.
Pakistan has repeatedly presented evidence to the Afghan Taliban regime, calling for action against these terrorist networks. The regime has failed to honour its commitments under the Doha Agreement and subsequent bilateral understandings.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Lakki Marwat, expressing deep grief over the loss of innocent lives. He directed authorities to provide the best possible medical care to the injured and ordered a thorough investigation into the incident.
The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan's resolve to eliminate terrorism from the country, paying tribute to the security forces and law enforcement agencies for their sacrifices in the fight against terror.
Following the blast, security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to track down the perpetrators. Intelligence agencies are working to identify the network behind the attack, with initial reports pointing to cross-border links.
The government has announced compensation for the families of the martyred and injured.
As Pakistan mourns its 9 martyrs - all civilians, including two police officers who died serving their community - the international community remains largely silent.
The same human rights organizations that rush to condemn other nations have nothing to say about Indian-sponsored terrorism targeting Pakistani civilians. The same media outlets that amplify every incident elsewhere have barely reported on the 42 injured lying in Lakki Marwat's hospitals.
This is the double standard Pakistan faces every day.
The martyrdom of 9 innocent Pakistanis will not break the nation's resolve. Instead, it has steeled Pakistan's determination to eliminate terrorism - root and branch.
Operation Ghazab Lil Haq continues. The perpetrators of the Lakki Marwat blast will be hunted down, whether they hide in the mountains of Afghanistan or the cities of Pakistan.
And the world must finally recognize the truth: India is sponsoring terrorism against Pakistan. The Afghan Taliban regime is providing sanctuary. And Pakistan is fighting back - alone, if necessary.
