11 killed, 31 injured in Jamrud check post blast

Officials say Jamrud Khasadar Line officer Nawab Shah's car was the target

PESHAWAR: At least eleven people were killed and 31 others injured as a suicide bomber blew himself up near a check post in Karkhano Market, adjacent to Jamrud in Khyber Agency on Tuesday.

"Eleven people have been killed and 31 others injured," officials of Hayatabad Medical Complex told The Express Tribune. Casualties are feared to rise, the officials added. Further, a hospital source said a child and four security officials are among the dead.



PHOTO: AMIRZADA AFRIDI/ EXPRESS

The target, Jamrud Khasadar Line officer Nawab Shah was also killed in the attack, political sources confirmed.

According to sources, eight bodies were shifted to Hayatabad while three were shifted to Jamrud.

Eyewitnesses say the explosive device was planted in a motorbike. "Cars and the area around the site of the blast are engulfed in fire," an eyewitness said.

PHOTO: AMIRZADA AFRIDI/ EXPRESS

Aaj TV journalist Mehboob Shah Afridi was also killed in the blast, sources said.

TTP claims responsibility

Meanwhile, the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack.

"The TTP's martyrdom squad (TSG) carried out the successful attack on the 'khasadar' check post near Karkhano bazaar," TTP spokesperson Mohammad Khorasani said in a statement.

The outlawed group has claimed responsibility for at least two attacks in Quetta in a week.

This is a developing story and will be updated accordingly.