Five children died and another 12 were injured when a mortar shell they played exploded in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Lakki Marwat area on Saturday.
Aamir Khan, police spokesman for the Bannu region, said Dawn.com That the children found the mortar shell in the field and took him to his village, Sorband, thinking it was a toy.
“The shell exploded, which resulted in the death of five children and left another 12 critical injured,” he said. “The deceased and injured children have been transported to the Khalifa Gul Nawaz hospital,” said the spokesman, added that injured children received medical treatment in the emergency room.
A statement issued by Bannu Regional Police officer (RPO) Sajad Khan said he visited the hospital to ask about the condition of the injured.
“He verified his condition, encouraged them and met with the hospital administration to review the provision of treatment, availability of medicines and other medical facilities in detail.”
He added that the pump elimination squad reached the scene, collected evidence and initiated an investigation.
According to the statement, the RPO promised that all possible assistance would be provided to affected families and that those responsible would soon be taken before justice. Rpo Khan also met with the relatives of the injured and assured them of total support.
Children who play with explosives, thinking they are toys, is not a new phenomenon.
In October 2023, a child lost his life, while another eight were injured when a hand grenade exploded in the Zarchain area of the city of Wadh de Baluchistan.
The previous month, nine people, including four children, lost their lives while a woman was injured when the artillery of a “rocket pitcher” exploded in a house in the district of Sindh Kashmore.
