What was supposed to be a normal evening of local sports turned into a scene of horror in Pakistan’s volatile Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. A suspected drone strike hit a volleyball ground in the Azam Warsak area of Birmal Tehsil on Wednesday, injuring at least 22 people, including seven children.
Explosion During Match Sparks Panic
The blast occurred near Karamzi Stop, where dozens of locals had gathered to watch a volleyball match. Eyewitnesses reported that the explosion was sudden and powerful, causing chaos and panic as spectators ran for cover.
Critical Injuries, Children Among Victims
The injured were rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital in Wana, where medical officials confirmed that several victims were in critical condition. A 13-year-old boy and a young man suffered serious injuries. According to a report by Dawn News, three youths aged 15, 18, and 19 sustained major injuries, while 13 others suffered minor wounds. Two of the less critical patients were discharged after treatment.
MP Calls It ‘Barbarism’ as Gunfire Erupts Post-Blast
Zubair Khan, a member of Pakistan’s National Assembly from South Waziristan, condemned the attack in strong terms, calling it “an act of sheer barbarism.” He claimed that intense gunfire erupted immediately after the explosion, sparking a stampede in which many were injured.
Second Drone Strike in Two Weeks
This is not an isolated incident. Just two weeks ago, on May 19, another suspected drone strike in Mir Ali, North Waziristan, killed four children from the same family and injured five others. That attack had triggered widespread protests, with locals demanding justice and accountability.
Army Denies Responsibility
Following public outrage over the previous drone strike, the Pakistan Army issued a statement through its media wing, ISPR, dismissing the accusations as “baseless and misleading.” The statement insisted that security forces were not responsible and the Mir Ali incident was being misrepresented.
Drones and Tensions on the Rise
The incident comes amid already high tensions in the region, where both security forces and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are believed to possess quadcopter drones. The increasing frequency of such attacks has left locals fearful and on edge, further destabilizing an already fragile area.
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