According to police, the bomb exploded in border area of Kohat and Hangu district targeting a passenger van en-route to Hangu. "The explosives were planted on roadside and was detonated by a remote control", the police informed.

Seven persons lost their lives on-the-spot while six died at the hospital of wounds. The dead and injured were shifted to Kohat hospital where condition of two injured was stated critical. Most of the victims were passengers of the ill-fated van.

Two women, an 11-year-old boy and three-year-old girl were among the deceased while four others sustained critical wounds.    Soon after the incident, the security forces and persons of peace militia cordoned off the area and started a search operation.

Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Barrister Masood Kausar, Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti, President of Awami National Party (ANP) Asfandyar Wali Khan and Provincial President Afrasiyab Khattak have condemned in strong words the bomb blast in passengers van near Hangu in which innocent people lost their lives and many sustained injuries.

In a statement from Bacha Khan Markaz on Wednesday they said those sabotaging the peaceful environment can never be the well wishers of the country. They said such cowardice acts cannot shatter the courage and resolve of the people and the government in fight against terror.

Asfandyar Wali said those creating anarchy in the country have no relation with any religion and ideology and they even do not deserve to be called humans. He said such nefarious attempts were foiled in the past and in the future too such evil deeds will strongly be dealt.

He appealed to the people to be patient and help the government in its efforts to exterminate the menace of militancy from the country. He said they are proud of our people and added that combined efforts will continue against the scourge of terrorism.

Both the leaders prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls of the incident and early recovery of the injured.