Assurances: Jobs announced for dependents of blast victims

Also delivers cheques of Rs 0.4m to each family

PESHAWAR: Jobs have been announced for the dependents of those who fell victim to the blast outside a mosque in Mohmand Agency on Friday.

The announcement was made by Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra and was mentioned in a handout issued on Saturday. He was addressing a tribal jirga in Payee Khan village of Anbar tehsil, Mohmand Agency.

He added all those injured in the attack will receive free treatment and health care facilities.

“The governor also delivered cheques of Rs0.4 million to each family that had lost a member in the explosion,” the handout stated. “At least Rs0.15 million was given to each family whose members were injured in the attack.”

Jhagra expressed his determination to eliminate militancy from the region. He said the people who had gone for prayers had been targeted. The governor insisted such acts of terror needed to stop.

Later, he went to Mohmand Agency Headquarters Hospital in Bajaur to enquire after the health of the people who were injured. Jhagra hoped for their speedy recovery and also promised to assist in the reconstruction of the mosque that was destroyed in the attack.

Meanwhile, responding to various points raised by local elders, the governor also announced to take necessary steps for the construction of a primary school and a link road in Payee Khan village.

Friday’s terror

A suicide bomber targeted a Friday congregation at a packed village mosque in Mohmand. Dozens of worshippers died and several others were wounded.

The bombing took place in Payi Khan village located in Anbar tehsil of the agency. Locals provided most of the initial assistance to victims till security personnel arrived and cordoned off the area.

The roof of the prayer hall and the veranda had collapsed. There were body parts strewn everywhere and many people were pinned beneath the rubble.

Mohmand Agency Political Agent Mahmood Aslam Wazir, who visited the area, told families of the victims that they would not be alone in this time of grief and handed over an immediate compensation of Rs25,000 to the aggrieved families.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 18^th, 2016.