Another Key Bridge Blown Up in North Waziristan’s Mir Ali, Disrupting Life and Sparking Public Anger

NORTH WAZIRISTAN: Unidentified assailants blew up another key bridge in the Mir Ali tehsil of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s North Waziristan district late at night, further disrupting daily life and heightening public anger amid a series of recent attacks on critical infrastructure.

According to police, the explosion occurred in Khushhali (Makinah) village of Mir Ali, where explosives were used to destroy the bridge, cutting off land connectivity between the area and nearby settlements, markets and agricultural lands. Soon after the incident, police and security forces cordoned off the site and launched an investigation.

Police officials said evidence had been collected and investigations were underway to determine the nature of the explosives used and identify those responsible. Security sources added that search operations and intelligence-based actions had been intensified in the surrounding areas, while the possibility of establishing a temporary alternative route for public convenience was also under consideration.

The destruction of the bridge has caused severe hardship for residents, who say daily life has been paralysed. With no alternative routes available, schoolchildren, patients, the elderly and women are facing serious difficulties. Ambulances and other emergency services are reportedly struggling to access the area, raising concerns about delays in medical treatment.

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Local tribal elder Malik Din Sardar described the bridge as a “lifeline” for the community. “It has become extremely difficult to transport patients to hospitals,” he said, questioning how long ordinary citizens would continue to suffer because of such incidents. Social activist Jalal Khan echoed similar sentiments, saying repeated attacks on infrastructure had shattered residents’ hopes for lasting peace and stability.

Residents strongly condemned the incident and demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible. They also called for the bridge’s urgent reconstruction on an emergency basis and for stronger, long-term security arrangements to protect essential infrastructure in the region.

The latest incident adds to a growing pattern of attacks on bridges and public facilities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in recent months. On January 15, another important bridge over the Kurram River was destroyed using explosives, and reconstruction work has yet to begin. Prolonged disruptions have reportedly forced some tribal families to migrate to safer areas.

Earlier, on December 7, a link bridge in the Mamandkhel area of Bannu district was blown up, while Mir Ali tehsil also witnessed attacks on government schools within a short span. In November, two attempts were made to target bridges in Bannu, one of which was foiled by police.

Public circles have urged both federal and provincial governments to ensure the protection of critical infrastructure, provide compensation for affected communities, and take effective measures to restore peace and normalcy in North Waziristan.