According to South Waziristan Upper District Police Officer (DPO) Ashfaq Khan, the deceased official was identified as Abdul Jabbar, who was serving as assistant in charge of the bomb disposal unit.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Khan said Jabbar was carrying out a bomb disposal operation when an explosion occurred, leaving him critically injured. He was later pronounced dead after succumbing to his injuries.
The DPO said Jabbar had successfully defused one improvised explosive device (IED) planted in the area. However, another device exploded while he was attempting to neutralise it.
Second Device Suspected
Khan said the second explosive device was suspected to have been planted by terrorists specifically to target the bomb disposal squad. However, the exact circumstances surrounding the blast were still being investigated.
Following the explosion, Sararogha Station House Officer (SHO), accompanied by a police contingent, rushed to the site after receiving information about the incident.
The police team inspected the area, collected evidence and initiated an investigation to determine the circumstances of the explosion.
CTD to Investigate Case
The DPO said an initial report had been recorded in the daily station diary. The matter was subsequently referred to the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) for registration of a formal first information report (FIR) and further legal proceedings.
The incident highlights the dangers faced by bomb disposal personnel, who regularly undertake high-risk operations to locate and neutralise explosive devices.
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Security Concerns Persist
The blast comes amid a continuing rise in terrorist attacks in Upper and Lower South Waziristan over the past two years.
Police personnel, security forces and civilians have increasingly been targeted in the two districts, adding to concerns over the deteriorating security situation in the region.
Jabbar’s martyrdom is another loss for the police force and highlights the risks faced by personnel working to prevent explosive devices from causing casualties among local residents and security forces.
His death also underscores the critical role of bomb disposal teams in responding to threats in areas affected by militancy.
