13 killed in two bomb blasts at Mardan district courts

At least 13 people were martyred while 60 others injured when two bomb blasts hit District Kacheri, according to rescue emergency officials.

The first attack was a suicide attack near the Kacheri gate. The second took place shortly afterwards in which the attacker was stopped from entering the gate.

The attacker lobbed a hand grenade before exploding himself at the main gate of Mardan district courts, DPO Mardan told.

Following the blasts, security forces arrived at the spot and cordoned off the area. An investigation is underway while the injured are being shifted to local hospitals.

The incident occurred a few hours after an attack was foiled in Peshawar’s Christian Colony early Friday morning.

At least four terrorists were killed in what appears to be a failed attack at Christian Colony near Warsak Dam on the outskirts of Peshawar.

One resident of the colony named Simon has been killed and two security guards and a police constable are also said to be seriously wounded in the attack.

According to initial information, four terrorists tried to enter Chrisitan Colony in Warsak village near Warsak Dam where an Army air defence unit is also stationed. The security guards and police deployed at the gate of the Christian Colony exchanged fire with terrorists and in the gun battle all four terrorists were killed.
“There are four bodies of terrorists and they look like suicide bombers as some of them are in pieces. One Chrisitan has been killed while two private security guards Khud Ali and Najeem and one police constable Sajjad have been wounded seriously,” said a police official on the condition of anonymity.

“The attackers were killed in an exchange of fire,” he said, adding that security forces had started a search operation in the colony and had cleared it.

“Operation against terrorists in Warsak concluded. All four suicide bombers killed. COAS appreciated army, Frontier Corps and police for prompt and effective response and defeating the terrorists attempt,” Army spokesperson Lt General Asim Bajwa said.

During the operation Bajwa had tweeted, “Terrorist attacked Christian Colony Warsak Road, Peshawar. Security forces promptly responded, all four suicide bombers killed. Search in progress.”