One person was killed and 18 others were wounded on Friday when a suicide bomber attacked a security checkpoint in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to officials.

A suicide bombing in the northwest of Pakistan has claimed the life of one person and injured 18 others, authorities said. The attack occurred in the Miran Shah area of North Waziristan, part of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, when a militant drove an explosives-laden motorcycle into a security checkpoint.

Local sources reported that the blast happened around iftar time, when fewer security personnel were present at the checkpoint.

However, nearby market areas were crowded with civilians, including women and children, many of whom were affected by the explosion.

According to official statements, four of the injured — including two children — are in critical condition. All victims were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The attack was claimed by the Hafiz Gul Bahadur faction, a wing of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Security forces cordoned off the area and have launched a thorough investigation into the incident.

This attack highlights the continuing threat of militant violence in Pakistan’s tribal regions, despite ongoing counterterrorism efforts.

Authorities continue to urge residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to law enforcement. (ILKHA)