A local cricket match turned into a scene of chaos and horror in Pakistan’s northwestern Bajaur district on Saturday, when an explosion ripped through the Kausar Cricket Ground in Khar tehsil, killing one and injuring several others, including children.
Authorities confirmed that the blast was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) and suspect it was part of a targeted act of terrorism. “The blast was a targeted attack and carried out through an improvised explosive device (IED),” said District Police Officer Waqas Rafique, speaking to Dawn.
Video of the Incident Goes Viral
Eyewitness video footage circulating on social media captured the panic moments after the detonation, showing spectators fleeing and smoke clouds rising from the ground.
Emergency teams swiftly responded to the scene, and those injured were transported to the district headquarters hospital for medical care. At the time of reporting, no militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
This latest incident comes amid a surge in militant activities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Just days earlier, a quadcopter attack targeted a local police station, injuring a police constable and a civilian. Though no casualties were reported in that case, it marked a concerning shift in the methods used by attackers.
Security Forces Suspect Retaliation to Anti-Terror Operation
Security forces believe that these events may be tied to ongoing counter-terrorism efforts under Operation Sarbakaf, launched recently to crack down on extremist elements in the region.
Tensions have been high in the province since August 14, when Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants carried out coordinated attacks across seven districts, using guns and grenades against police stations, patrol units, and checkpoints. That violent spree claimed the lives of six police officers and wounded several others.
While investigators continue to piece together the motives and culprits behind Saturday’s bombing, the attack underscores the persistent threat of terrorism in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan — and the growing danger faced by civilians during even the most routine public gatherings.
