At least seven people were killed and three others injured in twin roadside explosions targeting a passenger van and a rescue vehicle in the Merka Bera area of Bannu, officials said on Saturday.

According to District Police Officer (DPO) Yasir Afridi, the first blast occurred near a passenger van carrying residents of the Hathikhel area in the jurisdiction of Ahmadzai police station, as it was travelling from a village towards Bannu city.

He said a second explosion took place shortly afterwards at the same site while rescue efforts were underway, killing two people involved in the relief operation.

Police confirmed that five passengers were killed in the initial blast, while the second explosion claimed the lives of two more individuals.

Among the injured are children, who have been shifted to the hospital along with the deceased.

All casualties were taken to the Khalifa Gul Nawaz Teaching Hospital for treatment.

DPO Afridi said the explosives had been planted on the roadside, and security forces had reached the scene.

Evidence is being collected and a search operation has been launched to investigate the incident.