PESHAWAR – At least seven people were killed in twin roadside explosions in Pakistan’s northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Saturday, police said.

A private pickup truck carrying passengers was targeted with a remote-controlled improvised explosive device in Bannu district, according to police officer Yasir Afridi.

Injured victims were being transported to hospital in a car when a second device exploded, killing more people and wounding three others.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, though the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and other militant organisations are active in the region.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and said the government remained committed to eliminating terrorism and bringing those responsible to justice.

Pakistan has blamed neighbouring Afghanistan for a rise in attacks and tensions between the two countries remain high. The Taliban government in Kabul has repeatedly denied Pakistani accusations that Afghan territory is being used as a safe haven for militants.

The deteriorating relationship has escalated into deadly armed conflict in recent months, including Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan cities. Pakistani strikes killed at least 12 people in Afghanistan near the shared border this month.

The border has remained largely closed since violence flared in October, freezing bilateral trade.