Two children were killed and sixteen others injured when a mortar shell, brought into a madrasa, exploded in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Thursday.

According to local police, the incident occurred in Mir Ali, North Waziristan, where students reportedly found the mortar shell outside the madrasa and brought it inside, mistaking it for a toy. Officials said the device detonated while the children were playing with it.

Two children died at the scene, while sixteen others sustained injuries of varying severity. The injured were immediately transported to nearby hospitals in Bannu and surrounding areas for treatment. Authorities noted that some of the injured were in serious condition, highlighting the ongoing risks posed by unexploded ordnance in the region.

Security forces cordoned off the area following the explosion. An investigation is underway to determine how the mortar shell ended up near the madrasa and whether any lapses in safety protocols contributed to the incident. Officials emphasized that remnants of past conflicts continue to pose hazards in North Waziristan, a region historically affected by militant activity and military operations.

Authorities urged local communities to exercise extreme caution and report any suspicious objects, reiterating the dangers associated with unexploded munitions. The inquiry into the incident is ongoing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

This tragic event underscores the persistent risks posed by leftover explosive devices in conflict-affected areas of Pakistan, particularly in remote regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.(ILKHA)