Tragedy in South Waziristan, Pakistan: 10 fatalities reported due to explosion at Peace Committee headquarters
In the troubled region of South Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan, a series of explosions have targeted peace committees, resulting in casualties and heightening tensions.
On June 17, 2025, a blast targeted the offices of a pro-government peace committee in Wana, South Waziristan, killing seven people and injuring over a dozen. The explosion caused two offices of the peace committee commander, Saifur Rehman, to collapse, trapping victims under rubble. Two peace committee commanders, Saifur Rehman and Tehsil Wazir, were critically injured and taken to hospital. No group claimed responsibility, but suspicion leans toward the Pakistani Taliban (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, TTP), who oppose these pro-government tribal committees.
Just over two weeks later, on July 1, another deadly explosion targeted the office of a local peace committee member, killing five people and injuring 15. The blast caused the office to collapse, trapping victims under debris, with rescue teams successfully retrieving the injured and deceased. Police secured the area and launched a search operation to find the perpetrators, though no further details about attackers or explosives were disclosed.
The most recent attack reported on July 1, 2025, killed five and injured 15, with ongoing investigation. The earlier attack in mid-June resulted in seven deaths and critical injuries to committee leaders. Both explosions targeted peace committee offices in Wana, South Waziristan, reflecting persistent militant hostility toward tribal leaders who oppose the Taliban insurgency.
The death toll may rise as several of the injured remain in critical condition. The explosion occurred at a facility held by a former 'peace militia' leader of the Commander Nazir Group, identified as Saifur Rahman. No group has publicly claimed responsibility for these latest attacks, but the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) are widely suspected, given their history of targeting such committees.
These attacks are part of a broader conflict in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa tribal areas, where peace committees supported by the government face frequent militant violence. The incidents are not directly linked to the major operation against militant groups in North Waziristan, which began recently.
The volatile security situation for peace committees in South Waziristan persists, as the region has seen a third consecutive night of Indian and Pakistani armies exchanging fire across the LoC. The death toll from the office explosion in South Waziristan has not been affected by the recent border incidents.
| Date | Location | Casualties | Details | |--------------|----------------------|--------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | June 17, 2025| Wana, South Waziristan| 7 killed, 16+ injured | Blast caused offices to collapse; peace committee commanders critically injured; TTP suspected but no claim[1] | | July 1, 2025 | Wana, South Waziristan| 5 killed, 15 injured | Office targeted, collapsed; rescue ongoing; police searching for culprits; no further info on attackers[2] |
- The repetitive attacks on peace committees in Wana, South Waziristan, on June 17 and July 1, 2025, stem from the ongoing conflict in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa tribal areas, showcasing the persistent militant hostility in this region.
- The latest general-news from South Waziristan indicates that the July 1 explosion, involving five fatalities and fifteen injuries, is under ongoing investigation, while the earlier attack in mid-June resulted in seven deaths and critical injuries to committee leaders.
- The history of war-and-conflicts in South Waziristan has led to the emergence of peace committees, but these committees have faced crime-and-justice issues, as evident in the recent bombings that targeted these groups.
- Despite the volatile security situation in South Waziristan, with incidents of Indian and Pakistani armies exchanging fire, the death toll from the office explosion in the region has not been directly affected. However, the incident underscores the need for continued efforts to ensure the safety of peace committees and promote a peaceful resolution in the area.
