TTP claim blast that killed two Pakistani staff of US consulate

The Jamaat-ur-Ahrar said it detonated the remote-controlled explosive device on Tuesday in FATA's Mohmand


Reuters March 02, 2016
PHOTO: EXPRESS

A faction of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility on Wednesday for a roadside bombing that killed two Pakistani employees of a US consulate.

The Jamaat-ur-Ahrar said it detonated the remote-controlled explosive device on Tuesday in FATA's Mohmand about 170 km (105 miles) from Islamabad.

Blast kills 2 US mission staffers in Mohmand

"Jamaat-ur-Ahrar's mujahideen carried out a remote-controlled bomb attack that sent a FATA secretariat employee and his driver to hell," said a statement emailed to Reuters.

Faisal Khan and Abid Shah were killed while on a drug eradication mission, the US State Department said.

Khan was identified by US authorities as the most senior Pakistani employee at the US Consulate in Peshawar. Shah was identified as the driver, having joined the consulate in 2009 as a security specialist.

Four other Pakistanis were wounded in the blast, the Taliban said.

Pakistan's volatile tribal areas have been home to an insurgency by Islamist militants under the banner of TTP since 2007.

The tribal areas, including Mohmand, have seen multiple rounds of military operations reduce the TTP's capacity, but targeted attacks against state and civilian targets are common.

Two killed in Mohmand Agency IED blast

Mohmand has seen increasing violence in recent weeks. On February 18, Jamaat-ur-Ahrar gunmen killed nine Pakistani paramilitary soldiers in two separate attacks.

COMMENTS (2)

curious2 | 8 years ago | Reply Terrible tragedy. On the bright side the USA doesn't forget these kind of attacks and this organization and it's leaders have moved up on the target list - only a matter of time before their leaders are hit by drone or meet American Special Forces.
US CENTCOM | 8 years ago | Reply : It is sad to know that two locally employed staff with the United States Mission in Pakistan were senselessly murdered in an attack against a Government of Pakistan Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) convoy in Mohmand Agency while they travelled with them on a drug-eradication mission. Secretary of State, John Kerry said, “I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of these brave individuals. I know nothing we say can adequately assuage their grief, but they should know we are thinking of them and share their profound sense of loss.” He further said, “We hold in the highest regard all our host country colleagues who serve in our missions around the world. These men and women choose a life of service to improve the lives of their families and citizens and are essential to helping implement our goal of promoting shared prosperity and values. They are our friends, our teachers, and our guardians, and we are profoundly grateful for the sacrifices they make every day.” We need to continue to work together to eradicate the menace of terrorism and its sources of funding; narcotics being one of them. The Secretary also offered our assistance to the government of the region in investigating the incident and bringing the perpetrators to justice. Abdul Quddus DET - U.S. Central Command
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