- Officials say motorcycle-borne attacker carries 12kg explosives
- ISPR says FC vehicle was on routine patrolling in Hayatabad
- Tehreek-i-Taliban claims responsibility for Peshawar attack
At least two security personnel, an officer and his gunman, were killed when a suicide bomber struck a vehicle of the Frontier Corps (FC) in Hayatabad area of Peshawar, a senior police official said on Monday.
“Major Jamal Sheran of the Frontier Corps and his gunman Zahir Shah were martyred and 11 others including four FC personnel sustained wounds in the attack at Bagh-e-Naran area of Hayatabad,” SSP Operations Sajjad Khan told journalists.
Bomb Disposal Unit officials said that the bomber – who targeted the vehicle – was riding a motorbike while wearing a vest with 10-12 kilograms of explosive material. In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations said that a motorcycle-borne suicide bomber hit an FC vehicle on routine patrolling duty in Hayatabad.
“Major Jamal Sheran embraced martyrdom while four soldiers were injured in the explosion,” the statement said. Constable Waliullah, Lance Naek Tahir Shah, Constable Amir Jan, Constable Sharafat Khan and five civilians were among the injured, police said.
Cantonment SP Imran Malik said that the suicide attacker riding a motorcycle targeted the FC convoy when it was travelling from its camp in Hayatabad to the headquarters in Qila Bala Hisar. The vehicle was moving when the blast occurred, he said.
TALIBAN CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY: In a statement sent to media by Tehreek-i-Taliban spokesperson Mohammad Khurasani, the outlawed militant group claimed responsibility for the attack. Two vehicles that were part of the convoy were damaged in the blast. Security personnel cordoned off the area after the explosion as rescue services shifted the injured to nearby hospital.
CHAMAN BLAST: At least one FC personnel was also martyred in a suspected suicide blast in Chaman area of Balochistan. The suicide blast targeted the Talab checkpost near the Pak-Afghan border, security officials said.
A local news agency reported that landmine installed at the roadside area exploded in Roghani area of Chaman. The blast targeted the FC check post in the area. The police and FC personnel rushed to the site and cordoned off the area. The road has been closed for the public which will be reopened after security clearance.
The attacks come a day after Pakistan Army announced a fresh operation in Rajgal Valley of the Khyber Agency to forestall entry of the Islamic State (IS) group from across the border. On Sunday, military spokesperson Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor said that law enforcement personnel and soft targets have become the new targets for militants.
CONDEMNATION: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned attack on the Frontier Corps vehicle in Peshawar and directed the authorities to hunt down the perpetrators of this heinous act and bring them to justice. He also directed the provincial government to provide best medical treatment to the injured.
He expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious life of Major Jamal Sheran and his gunman in the attack and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls and grant of courage to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss. He stated that such elements deserved no mercy and would meet their fate soon in view of the unflinching and united resolve of the entire nation against terrorism and extremism.
In a statement, Minister for Interior Affairs Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan condemned the Hayatabad blast and sought report of the incident and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of precious lives and sympathies with the bereaved families. He also prayed for early recovery of the injured.
Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Deputy Speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi also condemned the bomb blast in Hayatabad and expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives. They sympathised with the victim families and prayed for the early recovery of the injured.
Rabbani said the whole nation was united against the menace of terrorism and the terrorists deserved no leniency. He suggested strict measures to taken to task such unscrupulous elements. He chairman prayed Almighty Allah to rest the departed souls in eternal peace and grant solace to the bereaved family. He also prayed for early recovery of the injured officials.
Senate Deputy Chairman Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, House leader Raja Zafarul Haq, opposition leader Aitzaz Ahsan also condemned the attack and termed it a coward act.
