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PESHAWAR/MIRANSHAH:
Life came to a standstill in North Waziristan on Sunday after unknown attackers blew up another vital link bridge in Mir Ali tehsil, cutting off entire communities from markets, hospitals and farmlands, while police and security forces intensified targeted operations against terrorist elements elsewhere in the province.
According to police, the bridge in Makinah’s Khushhali village was destroyed late at night using explosive materials, completely cutting off land access to nearby settlements.
Security forces immediately cordoned off the area and launched investigations, while the explosion left residents struggling.
Meanwhile, residents complained that schoolchildren, patients, the elderly and women were among the worst affected, with no alternative routes available for ambulances or emergency services. Agricultural activity and daily commerce have also been severely disrupted.
Tribal elder Malik Deen Sardar expressed anguish over the destruction. “This bridge was the lifeline of our lives. Today, taking patients to the hospital has become a huge challenge. How long will we continue to pay the price of such acts?”
Social activist Jalal Khan echoed similar concerns. “We had pinned our hopes on peace, but the repeated destruction of bridges shows that the suffering of ordinary people does not matter to anyone.”
He said one force left behind innocent bodies, while another made life unbearable by destroying infrastructure, leaving civilians stuck in between.
Residents strongly condemned the attack and demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible, urgent reconstruction of the bridge and improved permanent security measures to prevent such incidents.
Police said evidence from the site had been collected and the nature of the explosives was being determined.
