Judge survives again in suicide bomb attack

• Official driver killed, four judges among six injured

It seems that terrorists are on a rampage with their heinous activities as they have attacked not only restive areas of FATA, but also capitals in three provinces in the past few days. Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta have been attacked separately, leading to scores of casualties and injuries.

Yesterday’s bomb blast in Hayatabad area of Peshawar has claimed the lives of two people and wounded 18 others, including a civil judge.

According to former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa minister Shaukat Yousafzai, it was a suicide bombing in which the bomber, who was riding a motorbike, targeted a government vehicle which was not being escorted by any security detail.

SSP Operations Sajjad Khan said the bomber targeted the vehicle carrying civil judge Asif Jadoon and three female magistrates – Rabia, Amina, Tehrima – in Hayatabad’s Phase-V near the Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) office, where Shaukat Khanum hospital, educational institutions and several private and government offices are located.

The police official said the driver of the vehicle, identified as Khursheed Khan, died on the spot while Asif Jadoon and the three females were badly wounded. The injured have been moved to the Hayatabad Medical Complex, where an emergency has been declared.

The SSP further said that the remains of the suicide bomber have been collected from the blast site.

Citing personnel of the Bomb Disposal Squad, CCPO Peshawar Tahir Khan said 15 kilogrammes of explosive material was used in the bomb. He said it was too early to say who was the target of the bomber, adding that investigation is in progress.

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the attack.

A heavy contingent of police has arrived at the site, and the area is being cordoned off.

Rescuers say the explosion was so powerful that it completely wrecked the van, besides shattering windowpanes of nearby buildings.

More casualties are feared as many injured are stated to be in critical condition.

Law enforcers have initiated a manhunt for the anti-state elements.

Interestingly, the same judge has already survived an attack on his life when some unidentified men opened fire at his car some time ago.

Later, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan addressing media along with KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak condemned the attack and said that terrorists wanted to target the civil judge and judicial magistrates.

He added that any further delay in FATA’s merger with KP would strengthen terrorists and anti-state elements.

Imran said that it would be improper to give FATA a complete provincial status.

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar also condemned the attack and expressed sorrow over the loss of precious lives.