Mortar shell explosion leaves five kids dead in Lakki

13 others mostly women and children wounded seriously

PESHAWAR: In a tragic incident at least five children were reported killed and more than a dozen others including women and children, all belonging to the same family, sustained serious injuries in mortar shell explosion in Lakki Marwart district on Saturday.
The death toll may mount as the condition of few wounded persons of the ill-fated family was described as precarious.
Reports reaching here say huge explosion was caused by a mortar shell which the children brought to home in Surband Langar Khel area of Lakki Marwat district.
“The incident occurred within the jurisdiction of Saddar police station when a group of children discovered an old mortar shell lying outside the mountainous village. Unaware of its danger, they brought it home where it exploded while they were playing. The District Police Officer Lakki Marwat said.
The DPO himself and other law enforcement personnel reached the site soon after the explosion and cordoned off the area. Bomb disposal experts have also been called in to search for any additional unexploded ordnance.
The blast killed four girls and a boy on the spot, all of whom were between the ages of six and 12. Thirteen members of the same household, including women and men, sustained injuries of varying degrees and were shifted to a nearby hospital for medical treatment, Rescue officials said. NNI