Tragedy struck Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as a suicide blast during a wedding killed at least six and injured 10-plus guests. The target was Noor Alam Mehsud’s home, where the peace committee leader was hosting festivities that turned deadly late Friday.
The powerful detonation scattered shrapnel and ignited panic, with gunfire adding to the mayhem. Mehsud was among the wounded, hospitalized along with others. Forensic experts later found the young bomber’s head—estimated 17 years old—key to unraveling the plot.
Police investigations point to a coordinated suicide mission, with attackers fleeing after opening fire. Hours of on-site probing by teams aim to dismantle the network behind it. Chief Minister Sohail Afriidi denounced the attack, ordering swift action and premium healthcare for survivors.
This frontier province has seen relentless terror. Violence jumped 25% in Pakistan last year, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa accounting for nearly two-thirds of deaths—over 3,100 total fatalities. Mehsud survived a 2022 bombing attempt, and recent police vehicle attacks highlight the pattern.
As Afghanistan’s influence looms large across the border, such strikes expose security gaps. Provincial leaders pledge unrelenting pursuit of justice, but the cycle of vengeance threatens community fabric. The wedding blast serves as a grim reminder of militancy’s enduring shadow.