At least eight people, including two Afghan diplomats, were killed and around 68 others injured in a suicide bombing on Peshawar’s University Road area on Monday morning.
The injured included three policemen, while condition of several among them was said to be critical.
Per details, a suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden motorcycle into a vehicle manned by Afghan diplomats in Tehkal area on University Road.
The massive explosion killed at least eight people on the spot, damaged a number of vehicles and passenger buses in the vicinity.
Soon after explosion, the University Road was closed for traffic and police personnel and Rescue 1122 volunteers shifted the injured and dead to the hospital. Those killed and injured included women and children.
Police later said those killed included two Afghan diplomats Qazi Hilal and Idrees. Qazi Hilal is son of leading Afghan Jihadi leader Qazi Mohammad Amin Waqad, who had served Afghanistan as its acting prime minister for a few months in mid 1990s. Idrees is nephew of Qazi Amin and cousin of Qazi Hilal.
Qazi Amin Waqad is member of Afghanistan Peace Council headed by Salahud Din Rabbani. Both Hilal and Idrees were reportedly playing a role in the peace council.
The Afghan diplomats confirmed that Hilal was serving in Afghanistan Trade Commissioner Office, whereas Idrees was serving with Afghanistan Consulate in Peshawar and responsible for Afghan refugees’ affairs.
According to officials, both Hilal and Idrees were the key targets of the attacker. The Afghan government or diplomats have not issued any statement over the assassination.
Former Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal MNA from Karam, Maulana Shah Abdul Aziz, survived a firing incident in Gudakhel Karak on Monday. There were no further details available.
Rising terrorist acts have jeopardised election campaigns all across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and its adjoining the Tribal Areas.
In just two days, around 15 acts of violence and terrorism have been reported from across the country.
The Awami National Party on Monday directed all of its candidates to close offices and run door-to-door campaign through committees.
