LAKKI MARWAT; A tragic incident unfolded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Lakki Marwat district on Saturday when a mortar shell, mistaken for a toy, exploded while children were playing with it, killing five and injuring twelve others.
According to Bannu region police spokesperson Aamir Khan, the children had discovered the mortar shell in a nearby field and brought it back to their village, Sorband, unaware of the danger it posed. “They thought it was a harmless object,” Khan said, “but it exploded, causing immediate fatalities and critical injuries.”
The deceased and injured were rushed to Khalifa Gul Nawaz Hospital in Bannu, where emergency treatment is being provided. Police confirmed that the injured children remain in serious condition.
Bannu Regional Police Officer (RPO) Sajjad Khan personally visited the hospital to inquire about the victims’ condition. During his visit, he met with hospital staff to assess the availability of medical supplies and treatment facilities and offered words of encouragement to the injured children.
A police statement confirmed that the Bomb Disposal Squad has collected evidence from the scene and launched an investigation. RPO Sajjad Khan assured families that all necessary support will be provided and that those responsible if any will be held accountable. He also met with the families of the injured and promised full cooperation.
Incidents involving children unknowingly playing with explosive materials are not new in Pakistan. In October 2023, a similar tragedy occurred in Balochistan’s Wadh area, where one child died and eight others were wounded in a grenade explosion.
A month earlier, a rocket launcher round detonated in a house in Kashmore, Sindh, killing nine people — including four children — and injuring a woman.
Authorities continue to urge the public, especially in conflict-affected regions, to report any suspicious objects found in open areas and to educate children on the dangers of unexploded ordnance.
