A blast in Pakistan's restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa district killed at least five people, including a peace activist. Today’s blast was the first major explosion in Swat since the 2009 military operation in the picturesque valley

At least five people, including a peace committee member and two police officials, were killed in a blast in Pakistan’s restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa district, officials said on Tuesday.

Security officials said a roadside bomb attack targeted the vehicle of the peace committee member, Idrees Khan, who was an ex-Village Defence Council (Aman Committee) Chairman of Kabal Tehsil, in Swat district.

The blast, which occurred in Bara Bandai area, resulted in the death of Khan, his security guards and two police officers, they said.

A search operation has been launched to nab the culprits, police said.

No terrorist outfit has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Mahmood Khan, has condemned the incident, and has sought a detailed report and said those responsible would be brought to justice.

Pakistan has witnessed an uptick in targeted attacks on security forces since the Taliban takeover of Kabul last year in August after the withdrawal of US forces.