A powerful explosion ripped through a key bridge spanning the Kurram River in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s North Waziristan on Wednesday morning, courtesy of unknown militants. Located in Shewa tehsil, the bridge’s collapse has isolated the district from neighboring areas including Miranshah and Bannu, amplifying fears over the province’s fragile security.

Eyewitnesses reported hearing the massive detonation from several miles away, sparking panic among villagers. Pakistani police and army units rushed to the scene, securing the perimeter as forensics teams sifted through the debris.

Once a bustling artery for trade, education, and medical emergencies, the bridge’s loss now hampers everything from food deliveries to student commutes. Businesses grind to a halt, and alternative routes—longer and treacherous—pose new dangers for travelers.

This attack fits a disturbing pattern. Infrastructure sabotage has intensified lately, with bombers striking a Bannu link bridge in December and demolishing schools in Mir Ali recently. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan recently decried the worsening security outlook through 2025.

Amid rising tensions near the Afghan border, authorities face mounting pressure to restore connectivity and neutralize threats. For now, the blast underscores the persistent instability plaguing Pakistan’s northwest.