The blast occurred at the residence of Noor Alam Mehsud, identified as a local peace committee member, while guests were participating in wedding celebrations. According to initial reports, the attacker detonated explosives inside a room where people were dancing, triggering a powerful explosion that caused the roof to collapse and trapped several victims under debris.

Rescue officials said the structural collapse significantly delayed evacuation efforts. “The roof caved in immediately after the blast, making access difficult,” said Bilal Ahmed Faizi, a spokesperson for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa rescue services. He confirmed that seven ambulances, a fire vehicle and a disaster response unit were dispatched to the scene. The injured and deceased were transported to nearby hospitals, where several victims remain in critical condition.

Police cordoned off the area and launched an investigation to determine the identity of the attacker and possible militant links. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi condemned the bombing, calling it an “inhuman act of terror,” and directed the provincial inspector general of police to submit a detailed report. Security in the surrounding areas was tightened amid fears of follow-up attacks.

Peace committee members in the region have frequently been targeted by militant groups, as they are seen as supporting state efforts to resist extremist activity. Earlier this month, four members of a peace committee were shot dead in Bannu district while travelling in a vehicle, underscoring the risks faced by such groups.

The Dera Ismail Khan region has witnessed repeated militant violence over the past several years. Security data indicate that dozens of attacks have been reported in the district since 2020, resulting in significant casualties among police personnel and civilians. The frequency of suicide bombings and targeted killings has raised concerns about worsening internal security in the province.

Friday’s attack adds to a growing pattern of violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where militant groups have increasingly targeted public gatherings and individuals associated with local security initiatives. Authorities said investigations are ongoing and vowed to bring those responsible to justice, even as residents grapple with the shock of an attack on what was meant to be a moment of celebration.