Bomb rigged to rickshaw explodes in Pakistan bazaar, killing 9 and wounding more than 2 dozen others

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — A bomb rigged to a rickshaw exploded in a bazaar in northwest Pakistan on Tuesday, killing at least nine people and wounding more than two dozen others, police said, in the latest sign of escalating violence in the region bordering Afghanistan.

The attack took place in Lakki Marwat, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, local police chief Azmat Ullah said. He said that two traffic police officers and a woman were among those killed.

Ullah provided no further details but said traffic police officers were apparently the target of the attack. The bombing also damaged nearby shops. Most of the dead and wounded were passersby, he said.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing.

Suspicion in such attacks often falls on the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, which has intensified its campaign against Pakistani security forces in recent years. The group is separate from but allied with Afghanistan’s Taliban government.

However, the Pakistani Taliban denied involvement in Tuesday's attack, saying in a statement that it had learned about the bombing but was not behind it.

The latest attack came days after 15 police officers were killed in a suicide bombing and gun assault on a security post in the nearby Bannu district on Saturday, prompting Islamabad to summon a senior Afghan diplomat to lodge a formal complaint.

Pakistan on Monday blamed that attack on Afghanistan-based Pakistani Taliban.

On Tuesday, Afghan Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, in a post on X, rejected Pakistan’s claim that the recent attack in the Bannu district was planned in Afghanistan, calling it baseless.

“The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan believes that problems can be resolved through understanding, mutual respect and genuine cooperation, rather than accusations, threats and emotional reactions,” he said. Mujahid reiterated that Kabul’s position remains that Afghan territory will not be used against any country, and that no one will be allowed to engage in activities that undermine regional security and stability.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned Tuesday's attack and conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims.

In a statement, he said the government and all relevant institutions were committed to eliminating terrorism and would not allow militants to obstruct peace and development in the country. He directed authorities to swiftly complete the investigation, identify those responsible and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.

Pakistani authorities have long accused Afghanistan’s Taliban government of sheltering militants. Kabul has denied the allegation, saying it does not allow militants to use Afghan soil to launch attacks against other countries.

Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant violence in recent years, straining relations with Afghanistan.

The Pakistani Taliban and other militant groups have grown more emboldened since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021.

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have persisted, including fighting that has killed hundreds of people since late February. In early April, the two sides held peace talks mediated by China. However, sporadic cross-border clashes have continued, though at a lower intensity than before.

Associated Press writers Ishtiaq Mahsud in Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan, and Rasool Dawar in Peshawar, Pakistan, and Abdul Qahar Afghan in Kabul, Afghanistan, contributed to this report.

Plainclothes police officers examine damage at the site of a bomb explosion at a market in Sarai Norag in Lakki Marwat, a district in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Tuesday, May 12, 2026. (AP Photo/G.A Marwat)

Plainclothes police officers examine damage at the site of a bomb explosion at a market in Sarai Norag in Lakki Marwat, a district in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Tuesday, May 12, 2026. (AP Photo/G.A Marwat)

A police officer, left, and local residents examine damage at the site of a bomb explosion at a market in Sarai Norag in Lakki Marwat, a district in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Tuesday, May 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Farhat Ullah)

Plainclothes police officers, left, and local residents examine damage at the site of a bomb explosion at a market in Sarai Norag in Lakki Marwat, a district in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Tuesday, May 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Farhat Ullah)

Local residents examine damage at the site of a bomb explosion at a market in Sarai Norag in Lakki Marwat, a district in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Tuesday, May 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Farhat Ullah)

PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé won Ligue 1's player of the season award for the second straight year, despite injuries limiting him to nine league starts.

Dembélé received the award late Monday night as a PSG player claimed it for the 10th straight time. Kylian Mbappé won five in a row before joining Real Madrid.

Alexandre Lacazette was the last non-PSG player to win it when playing for Lyon in 2015. The prize was not awarded during the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 campaign.

Dembélé was selected ahead of two PSG teammates: left back Nuno Mendes and tireless central midfielder Vitinha — who spent more than twice as long as Dembélé on the field. Lens winger Florian Thauvin and Marseille forward Mason Greenwood were the other two candidates.

Dembélé starred in PSG's league title win last season with 21 goals — level with Greenwood — and went on to win the Ballon d'Or, but made less of an impact this time mainly because of nagging injuries in the first half of the season.

But he still managed 10 goals and five assists in 20 league appearances overall as coach Luis Enrique used him and captain Marquinhos more sparingly in Ligue 1. Dembélé played 959 minutes in total compared to 2,369 for Thauvin, who finished with the same number of goals, assists and penalties (two) and 2,008 for Vitinha.

His performances have arguably been more impactful in the Champions League. PSG is aiming for a second straight title after beating Bayern Munich in the semifinals, with Dembélé’s early goal in the return leg earning PSG a 1-1 draw and putting it through 6-5 on aggregate.

PSG plays Premier League leader Arsenal in the final on May 30.

PSG teammate Désiré Doué was voted the league's best young player for the second straight season. The 20-year-old forward's winning goal against Brest on Sunday put PSG on the verge of a record-extending 14th league title.

PSG is six points ahead of second-placed Lens with two games left and with a vastly superior goal difference. PSG only needs a draw at Lens on Wednesday in their rescheduled match to clinch the title.

Pierre Sage won the best coach award for turning Lens into a surprise title contender in his first season in charge and with far less resources than cash-rich PSG.

“Congratulations to Pierre Sage, he deserves to win this trophy because what he's done with Lens is incredible,” Luis Enrique said. “It's the first time in my three seasons here that there's been a genuine rival. It's has been motivating.”

Robin Risser won the best goalkeeper award for Lens.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

PSG's Desire Doue, left, celebrates scoring his side's opening goal during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint Germain and Brest in Paris, France, Sunday, May 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PSG's Ousmane Dembele runs for the ball during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint Germain and Brest in Paris, France, Sunday, May 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)