According to media reports, the children had found the mortar shell in a field and brought it to their village, mistaking it for a toy.
Following the blast, an emergency was declared at City Hospital Lakki, and all medical staff were directed to report immediately.
The hospital received a total of 17 casualties, five of whom were pronounced dead on arrival, while the remaining 12 were being treated for injuries, according to the hospital's medical superintendent.
Emergency medical aid was promptly administered to the injured, and the hospital remained on high alert.
The Bomb Disposal Squad arrived at the scene, collected evidence, and initiated an investigation.
Later, the injured were shifted to Khalifa Gul Nawaz Hospital in Bannu. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Bannu, Sajjad Khan, visited the facility to inquire after the children. He met with the victims, expressed solidarity, and offered words of encouragement.
He also held discussions with the hospital administration to review the availability of medical care, essential medicines, and other critical facilities.
Speaking on the occasion, the DIG assured that the affected families would receive all possible assistance. He further pledged that those responsible for the tragic incident would be brought to justice.
A landmine explosion in the Dera Bugti district of Balochistan resulted in the deaths of two people and left another seriously injured, underscoring persistent safety concerns in the region.
According to local sources, the incident occurred when villagers encountered a suspected explosive device buried underground. Efforts to remove it reportedly triggered the blast.
The victims have been identified as Zahid Chakarani and Wishu Chakarani, both residents of the area. A third individual, Sada Chakarani, sustained critical injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at a nearby medical facility.
Following the blast, security personnel cordoned off the area and launched an investigation to determine the origin and nature of the explosive.
The explosion has once again drawn attention to the lingering threat of unexploded ordnance in Dera Bugti.
Community members have long voiced concerns over the presence of landmines, especially in areas close to homes, schools, and public pathways, where civilians, including children, remain at significant risk.
Local residents and human rights advocates have reiterated their demand for a thorough clearance of explosive remnants from the district. They stress that beyond the immediate danger to life, the presence of such devices disrupts daily routines and contributes to a climate of fear and uncertainty.
Security forces have killed 892 terrorists, including 24 most-wanted commanders, in a series of intelligence-based operations carried out across various districts of K-P over the past seven months, including the merged tribal areas, according to official sources.
The data, reported by Express News, reveals that the operations have significantly dented terrorist networks operating in the province.
In January, security forces eliminated 142 terrorists during targeted operations, including 10 high-profile commanders wanted in multiple terrorism-related cases.
In February, another 157 terrorists were killed in similar actions, followed by 133 in March, which included 14 senior commanders reportedly involved in attacks on law enforcement agencies.
Operations intensified in April, with 163 terrorists neutralised by security personnel. In May, 88 terrorists were killed, followed by 96 in June, and 113 in July.
Funeral prayers were held Sunday morning for a police constable martyred in a terrorist attack on a checkpoint in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district, where an exchange of fire also left three terrorists dead and three policemen injured.
Over the past few months, multiple areas of KP — including Bannu, Peshawar, Karak, Lakki Marwat and Bajaur — have seen a series of attacks, particularly targeting police personnel in Bannu in July.
Bannu Regional Police Officer (RPO) Sajjad Khan said in a statement that three terrorists were killed and police constable Rooh Niaz Khan was martyred when 40 to 50 terrorists attacked the police check post in Fateh Khel, Bannu.
Three terrorists were killed and as many policemen were injured in the exchange of fire, which lasted more than an hour, the statement added.
Soon after receiving information about the attack on the post, RPO Khan and District Police Officer (DPO) Saleem Abbas Kulachi, along with the force, left for the site of the incident, Aamir Khan, spokesperson for the Bannu region police, told Dawn.com.
“The terrorists had blocked the roads leading to the post, but the police officials reopened the roads and fought with the terrorists,” RPO Khan said. “Police personnel bravely fought the terrorists, who used heavy weapons.”
He noted that the search operation for the miscreants was still underway.
According to a statement by the Bannu Police Office, funeral prayers for the martyred constable were offered on Sunday morning at Bannu Police Lines. In attendance were his relatives, RPO Khan, DPO Kulachi, and other police officers.
While speaking on the occassion, DPO Kulachi said: “Martyred police officer Rooh Niaz Khan sacrificed his life while fighting against anti-national elements, proving that Bannu Police is steadfast on every front.”
“We will never forget his sacrifice,” he said, adding that the bravery, sense of duty and sacrifice of the deceased are a beacon of light for everyone else.
DPO Kulachi emphasised that Bannu Police were fully capable of confronting terrorists on every front.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi paid tribute to the martyred constable, saying he attained the highest level of martyrdom by sacrificing his life in line of duty.
“The police bravely fought the Indian-sponsored terrorists who attacked at night,” he said. Naqvi also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.
On Thursday, at least six law enforcement personnel were injured in a quadcopter attack on Miryan police station in Bannu amid an ongoing operation against terrorists in the Nurar area, where KP police had foiled a terrorist attack bid earlier in the week.
However, a police official identified as Constable Hayatullah was martyred last month when terrorists attacked him in Bannu.
Earlier in July, three terrorists were killed in an intelligence-based operation in Bannu, while another died in an encounter with police in Malakand district.