PESHAWAR – At least 46 people were killed and more than 80 injured when a burqa-clad female suicide bomber blew herself up near the World Food Programme (WFP) distribution centre in Khar, headquarters of Bajaur Agency, on Saturday.
The deceased included three personnel of Bajaur Levies Forces. Officials said 61 of the injured were admitted to various hospitals in the area, while 30 were airlifted to Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar.
According to details, the high-intensity explosion occurred when hundreds of people were in a queue outside the WFP centre. The WFP distribution centre is close to Civil Colony, where offices of the political agent and other senior officials are located.
The officials said more than 40 people were killed on the spot, while six succumbed to their injuries later. Soon after the attack, a WFP spokesman announced the closure of distribution service in Khar.
There were conflicting reports about the identity of the bomber, with some officials saying the attacker was a woman, while others claimed a man disguised in the burqa was responsible. The bomber was intercepted at a checkpoint outside the ration distribution centre and the blast occurred during a search, an official said.
The deputy administrator of Khar, Tariq Khan, said the bombing was carried out by a woman. Tribal police officials Mubashir Khan and Munasib Khan also said the attacker was a woman, who hurled a hand grenade at security guards before triggering her bomb.
