Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan — At least three policemen were killed in back-to-back explosions in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, media reports said on Friday, in an attack that underscores persistent security threats facing law enforcement in the region.
Back-to-back explosions target police
In an initial account carried by Indian daily Deccan Herald, “3 policemen [were] killed in back-to-back explosions at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” citing twin blasts that struck police personnel in quick succession. A separate dispatch from Iran’s Mehr News Agency reported “Two bombs blasts” in the province the same day. The reports did not immediately provide the exact location of the incident within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or the total number of injured.
Details remained limited at the time of publication. The two blasts were described as occurring in close sequence, a tactic that has previously been used to target first responders and security forces. Authorities were responding to the scene, local outlets said, and further information was expected as assessments continued.
Casualties and immediate response
According to the Deccan Herald report, the fatalities were uniformed police officers. No identities were released in the initial coverage, and there was no immediate confirmation of civilian casualties. The Mehr News note confirmed two explosions in the province without elaborating on the circumstances or the number of victims.
Provincial officials had yet to issue a detailed public statement on the incident. Media accounts did not specify the type of explosive devices used or whether the blasts were remote-detonated or planted along a route. The area was not identified by district, and rescue operations were reported to be ongoing.
Security context in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which borders Afghanistan, has seen periodic attacks on police, paramilitary forces, and government installations in recent years. Law enforcement personnel and roadside patrols have been frequent targets of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and ambushes, particularly in districts along the frontier and in areas where security operations have been underway.
Authorities in the province have expanded checkpoints, fortified police stations, and increased patrols in response to recurring threats. Analysts note that twin or back-to-back blasts can be designed to inflict casualties among responders and to sow confusion at the scene. However, Friday’s reports did not describe the precise sequence of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa explosions or whether secondary devices were aimed at those who rushed to assist.
Pakistan’s federal and provincial governments have repeatedly pledged to bolster counterterrorism capabilities and improve protective measures for frontline officers. Police fatalities in the province remain a point of concern, and previous incidents have prompted reviews of patrol patterns, convoy procedures, and blast-resistant infrastructure at security posts.
No immediate claim; investigation expected
The media reports did not mention any claim of responsibility for the blasts. In similar cases, provincial counterterrorism departments typically examine explosive residues, trigger mechanisms, and any available surveillance footage to determine the perpetrators and method of attack. Authorities also frequently conduct search operations in the vicinity of an attack to track potential facilitators and to prevent follow-on incidents.
Further updates are anticipated from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police and local administration officials as casualty figures are confirmed and preliminary findings are compiled.
What we know so far
- At least three policemen were killed in twin, back-to-back explosions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to Deccan Herald.
- Mehr News Agency reported two bomb blasts in the province on the same day.
- The precise location, number of injured, and type of explosives used were not immediately disclosed.
- No claim of responsibility was reported in the initial coverage.
Next steps
Authorities are expected to issue a formal statement once initial investigations clarify the sequence of events and the scope of the attack. Additional security measures, including temporary road closures and increased patrols, are common following such incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as police seek to secure the area and safeguard emergency responders.
This is a developing story. More information will be reported as it becomes available.
Sources: Deccan Herald; Mehr News Agency.