Peshawar, March 7 At least two people were killed and eight were injured in an explosion at a battery shop owned by a member of a peace committee in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a northwestern province of Pakistan, on Saturday, police said.
The explosion occurred at a battery shop of Shoaib Khan, a member of a peace committee, at Manjiwala Chowk in the Lakki Marwat district.
Several people were present in the shop at the time of the incident.
Initial reports said that around 10 people, including Khan, sustained serious injuries in the explosion and were taken to a nearby hospital.
However, Shoaib Khan and another person succumbed to their injuries on the way to the hospital, authorities said, adding that the condition of two of the injured is critical, while the others are receiving medical treatment.
The police and security forces cordoned off the area and began collecting evidence. A police official said that investigations are underway to determine whether the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) or a drone attack.
Security agencies have launched a full investigation into the incident, while security in the area has been tightened.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi strongly condemned the incident. He directed the Inspector General of Police to submit a detailed report.
The chief minister termed the loss of two lives in the incident deeply tragic and expressed solidarity with the families of the victims.
He also directed authorities to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured and prayed for their speedy recovery.
Afridi said that cowardly acts of terrorism cannot weaken the resolve of the government and the people. He also prayed for the departed souls and patience and strength for the bereaved families.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, at least two police personnel were killed and 18 civilians were injured when an explosive device detonated at the main gate of a supermarket in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday.
According to DSP Asghar Ali Shah, the explosion occurred in Wana's busy Rustam Bazaar after explosive material planted near the gate of a supermarket went off.
Wana is the administrative headquarters of the South Waziristan district, bordering Afghanistan.
He said that two police officials were killed while four other policemen were injured in the explosion. A total of 18 civilians, including children, also sustained injuries in the blast.
