Six killed, 10 injured in suicide attack on tribal elder

The target was not present at the time of the explosion.


Web Desk July 08, 2013
File photo of a blast crime scene. PHOTO: REUTERS/ FILE

HANGU: At least six people were killed and 10 others severely injured in a targeted bomb blast in Hangu on Monday. A suicide bomber rammed his motorcycle into a tribal elder’s pick-up at the Tor Warhai vehicle stand in Doaba Bazaar.

The target of the attack was Malik Habibullah Khan, however, he was not in his vehicle at the time of the explosion.

Malik’s brother Abdullah, who was driving the pick-up, was killed along with two other family members. Three pedestrians lost their lives and 10 bystanders were injured in the blast.

At the site of the attack, DPO Sajjad Khan told journalists the suicide bomber was on a motorcycle looking to target Malik Habibullah Khan. The tribal elder had been receiving threats from militants but was not in his pick-up at the moment of the attack.

Several shops and vehicles were also damaged in the explosion.

This is not the first time that Hangu and its neighbouring areas has faced a terrorist attack in a public area. Earlier today, unidentified armed men allegedly kidnapped a man from Karbogha Sharif in Hangu district on Sunday.

COMMENTS (9)

US Centcom | 10 years ago | Reply

We stand by the nation of Pakistan during these testing times. The terrorists continue to claim innocent lives in their bid to destabilize the nation. It would be safe to say that their terrorist operations have spread throughout the country. We just witnessed an act of terror in Old Anarkali's food street area of Lahore on Saturday, killing at least three people and injuring 37 others. The seriousness of the situation requires us to remain unified against the enemies of peace, and refrain from indulging in conspiracy theories that let these terrorists off the hook. We repeat what Jen Psaki, Department of State Spokesperson, said recently:”The United States stands with the people of Pakistan in condemning such senseless and inhumane acts [recent bombings]. We offer our deepest condolences to the families of those killed and wish those injured a speedy recovery.”

Ali Khan

Raj - USA | 10 years ago | Reply

@ModiFied: You say: Irrespective of how much support these terrorists might be getting from outside, Pakistani state is capable enough to annihilate them completely. If this is not happening, then one is forced to think that there are strong vested interests inside Pakistani government institutions who are siding with terrorists.

This is exactly what I said in my comment elsewhere in ET just 3 days ago. It is easier to install taliban regime in Pakistan than in Afghanistan as there is lot more support for talibans in Pakistan. Imran Khan and Maulana both say the same ......"Suicide bombing in Afghanistan is allowed per Islam". Also, look at the questions ECP was asking its candidates, for instance on Islamic rituals of preparing dead bodies for burial. Pakistan is far more talabinzed than Afghanistan today. In any newspaper in Pakistan you will read words like Islam, Muslims, shahria, etc., mentioned 100 times every day, probably 10 times more than in newspapers of Afghanistan.

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