Attack thwarted: Forces fend off four bombers trying to attack Christians

Two civilians also slain in the botched attack on Christian Colony

PESHAWAR: Four suicide bombers — armed with AK-47 assault rifles and hand grenades — were killed Friday morning as security forces thwarted a possible carnage at a Christian neighbourhood on the edge of the city. One civilian also died in the attack on the Christian Colony in Warsak village near Warsak dam.

The suicide bombers shot two security guards before entering the colony at 5:50am, according to a statement issued by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR). “Security forces promptly responded and surrounded the area. An exchange of fire took place and all four terrorists were killed,” it added.

It said two paramilitary soldiers, a policeman and two security guards were wounded in the gunfight. A resident of the Christian Colony, identified as Samuel Masih, was killed by the firing of the bombers.

Residents said the two private security guards were deployed at the gate of the colony located opposite an air defence unit of Pakistan Army in Warsak village. “The terrorists shot the guards before entering the colony.

“The firing alerted the Christian residents who abandoned their houses and locked themselves in a church,” one resident told The Express Tribune on the condition that he would not be named in the report. “Some residents who had weapons fired at the terrorists, checking their advancement and providing time to security forces time to react,” he added.

One of the bombers entered a house and detonated his explosive vest -- but luckily there was no one inside. The remaining three bombers were pinned down and eliminated in a subsequent gunfight. Three AK-47 assault rifles and several hand grenades were found on the bodies of the bombers. Police forensic experts also recovered the heads of two bombers and sent them for analysis.

Though the colony residents remained unscathed as they had shut themselves in the church, but Samuel Masih was not lucky enough. He was spotted by terrorists when he came out of his house.

“Samuel stepped out of his house only to rush back inside moments later,” another resident of the colony told The Express Tribune. “Samuel was terrified. He said ‘the colony is under attack’.” “In the meantime, one of the terrorists appeared and fired a volley of gunshots, killing Samuel on the spot.”

Security forces mounted a search operation in the Kas Kor Michni area in a hunt for possible facilitators and abettors of the botched attack.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 3^rd, 2016.