Initial reports revealed that the explosive-laden vehicle was detonated at a time when security officials were offering prayers. PHOTO: REUTERS/ FILE
At least five security officials were killed and around 34 others injured when a militant crashed an explosives-laden truck into the Khajori check-post adjacent to a mosque in the Mirali tehsil of North Waziristan Agency on Wednesday evening.
An official of the security forces stationed in Mirali, who rushed towards the check-post after the explosion, said that a suicide bomber driving a mini truck rammed it into a mosque adjacent to the check-post, resulting in a loud explosion which was heard miles away.
The official explained that the mosque was demolished due to the impact of the explosion along with parts of the check-post, adding that the attack was carried out when the security forces officials along with the Frontier Corps officials were offering Maghrib prayers in the mosque.
The security official said that a rescue operation was launched to pull out the dead and injured from the rubble of the mosque. They were shifted to Bannu’s Combined Military Hospital, with five officials in critical condition.
A source within the political administration of Mirali said that initial reports revealed that a militant detonated an explosive-laden vehicle with the mosque at a time when security officials were offering prayers. He added that after the explosion, the political administration officials imposed a curfew in the agency and informed tribesmen to restrict movement while the rescue work continued.
This attack by militants is not the first to target security forces’ check-posts in the agency. On November 20, four Frontier Corps (FC) officials were killed and 12 others, including a schoolteacher, injured when four militants detonated explosive laden with security check-post in Shewa tehsil of the agency.
On June 3, two security officials were injured in a suicide attack targeting a Dam Del check post in the Razmak tehsil, of the agency.
On April 16, at least seven security officials were killed and 12 injured when a vehicle-borne-Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded near the vehicle of the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO), in the Ghulam Khan tehsil of the agency while on March 23, an attacker rammed an explosive-laden oil tanker in the Esha security forces check-post in Miranshah, killing 18 security personnel.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 19th, 2013.
COMMENTS (22)
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It would seem that the former General Kyani's military is now fully trenched in the cantonments which the colonialists had build for their protection, coupled with some check posts.. For every incursion there will be a response in the non tribal area, the tit for tat replay of the 19th century. The transition from the military to the civilian rule cannot be realised if the military brass is calling the shots and the elected head of the Government is being pushed into the role of a figure head.
Rex Minor
@Syedi musharraf: But according to IK TTP is misguided people angry over drones. Where does India fit in to this.
Do Munawar Hassan and Jamat e Islami consider them shaheed who have given the supreme sacrifice for their country. Not even a word of condemnation from Mr. Munawar and Imran. Such is the reality of this unfortunate country; it gives fame, name and wealth to the people like them and in return they side with its' enemies.
Now Pakistanis must decide who the shaeeds are , the dead soldiers or the suicide bombers ?
@faizaan:
dont expect anything positive from Munawwar hussan and Fazlur Rahman....these chaps are only good in creating problems for Pak and Islam...they will never do something better for humanity in their lives
Inna Lillahe Wa Inna Ilaihe Rajeoon. Ameen. The TTP found a very convenient time to carry out the suicide attack.......when the soldiers were offering prayers. But what about the security guards on duty? Recently, the Saudi Grand Mufti condemned suicide attacks calling them unislamic and criminal. We are waiting for the JI, JUIF, JUIS, and PTI to condemn this suicide attack. Salams
Indian intelligence has infiltrated fata and kp. Our army is losing the battle with these hardcore terrorists.
Immediate surrender and tAlks based on terrorist terms should be initiated. We are losing battle with Afghan and India funded terrorists.
LTTE and TTP have one thing in common that both never believed in the dialogue process and wanted to achieve their respective goals through violent means. Even though talks with Taliban is considered as the best option, but all out military operations as launched by the Srilankan army may have to planned soon to solve this issue once for all.
And you all keep harping on Babri Mosque ... what a shame !!!
Thousands of innocent poor soldiers have been killed and are being killed daily on the other hand rulers children living luxurious life in palaces. It is time Mushraf, Zardari, Nawaz send their children to fight and give some sacrifices
Wave the white flag and yell MUZAKRAAT some more, you so-called ghairat brigade
Why would they do such a thing? Don't they know that all we want to do is talk?
Pakistan does not have the will to take remedial action. Where as it can cry foul on the rooftop over molla. No of comments on this subject does prompt me perhaps i am right.
The Talibans are unabashedly carrying on their operations, when will there be a consensus on how to fight these people who are challenging our way of life, our very being
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un. May Allah give patience to the Family members of These Jawans!
Blame it on Imran Khan. That's apparently the only trend every pseudo-intellectual is following.
More mosques are demolished by Muslims themselves. Strange interpretation of religion by these religious fanatics.
Now isn't this a blasphemy? Fazlur Rahman and Munawwar Hasan are too scared for their lives (if they have faith they shouldn't be) to agree with the obvious.