Children bring home mortar shell found in field; 5 killed after it explodes

At least five children lost their lives and 12 other people, including a woman, were injured when a mortar shell exploded in the Lakki Marwat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday, according to police.

The incident took place within the jurisdiction of the Saddar police station after children reportedly found a mortar shell in an open field and unknowingly brought it home.

The device later went off, claiming lives of five children and causing injuries to a dozen other people.

All victims were shifted to a nearby hospital, where medical staff declared five children dead.

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Officials at the hospital confirmed that most of the 12 injured are children, some of whom are in critical condition. An emergency was declared at the facility, with all medical personnel instructed to report for duty without delay.

The police have launched an investigation with a bomb disposal unit called to the area to search for any additional unexploded ordnance.

The tragic incident has triggered fear and anxiety in the local community, prompting calls for greater safety measures in regions affected by remnants of conflict.