Three policemen among 7 killed in Pabbi suicide attack

Policemen collect evidence at the site of a suicide bomb attack in Pabbi. PHOTO: REUTERS

NOWSHERA: At least seven people, including three policemen, were killed in a suicide bomb attack outside the residence of Khyber Pakhtunkwa information minister in Pabbi, Nowshera on Monday. Twenty seven people were also injured.

Mian Iftikhar remained safe as he was not present at his residence at the time of the attack.

The attack came just days after Mian Iftikhar Hussain’s 28-year-old son Mian Rashid was assassinated by the Taliban.

Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik had been in Pabbi to condole with Mian Iftikhar Hussain’s family shortly before the bomb explosion.

Mian Iftikhar Hussain is considered the most vocal minister against Taliban militants. He also worked as a spokesman for the provincial government.

End of live updates

3:02pm

CCPO Peshawar said the suicide bomber was a teenager who wanted to target a nearby mosque.

2:48pm

Mian Iftikhar’s four relatives injured in the blast.

2:43pm

Seven injured have been brought in at Lady Reading Hospital, two including a child are in critical condition.

Twenty injured have been brought in at Pabbi Hospital.

Three to four shops in the area were destroyed.

Party leader Asfandyar Wali was expected to visit the house during the day.

2:37pm

One person has been arrested.

Mian Iftikhar’s family is safe.

Of the seven, there were three policemen and four civilians.

The injured have been taken to Pabbi Hospital and Lady Reading Hospital where emergency has been declared.

According to SHO Pabbi the suicide bomber was heading towards the information minister’s residence when he received resistance from security officials, after which he blew himself up.

On Saturday, the minister’s 28-year-old son, Mian Rashid was assassinated by terrorists.