A terrorist attack in Lakki Marwat targeting a cement factory bus has left one factory worker dead and seven others injured, including women, in one of the latest militant violence incidents in the region, police confirmed on Monday.
The improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near Nawarkhel Mor on Begokhel Road as the bus was en route to a private cement plant, completely destroying the vehicle and prompting emergency response teams to rush the wounded to Lakki City Hospital. Medical authorities said the injured include two women and several are in critical condition.
District police spokesperson Qudratullah said the explosion was triggered by a planted device activated by terrorists. Law enforcement has cordoned off the area while launching a full-scale investigation to trace the assailants. The motive and responsible group have not yet been confirmed, but historical patterns point toward banned militant outfits, including factions of the Tehrik‑i‑Taliban Pakistan (TTP), active in the area.
This incident comes amid a series of militant attacks in the Lakki Marwat district, where security forces have previously engaged in counterterrorism operations. In June 2025, for example, an intelligence‑based operation eliminated 11 militants linked to an earlier deadly assault after an IED targeted security personnel.
Despite such violence, there are signs of shifting trends in Pakistan’s broader security landscape. Data suggests that after the closure of the Afghanistan border, the country saw a significant drop, nearly 17 %, in terror attacks and fatalities, indicating improved control over cross‑border militant movement.
Local authorities, including the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police and security agencies, have intensified patrols following the blast to prevent further assaults. Community leaders and officials condemned the attack, urging unity against terrorism and support for affected families.
As the investigation continues, the Lakki Marwat blast underscores persistent militant threats and the need for sustained security efforts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa even as broader trends show some decline in cross‑border terror incidents.
