Funeral bombing: In Mingora, 2008 terrorist attack still rings fresh

Though three years have passed, heirs and survivors still have not been properly compensated.


Fazal Khaliq March 02, 2011

SWAT: Three years ago, a deadly terrorist attack in a funeral procession in Mingora left 55 innocent people dead. The survivors and family members of the deceased still cannot forget the events of February 28, 2008. On that fateful day, a suicide bomber blew himself up during the funeral procession of DSP Javed Iqbal, killing 55 people and injuring more than 100 others. The DSP was killed by the Taliban in a roadside bombing in Lakki Marwat.

Speaking to The Express Tribune during a memorial meeting arranged by the Global Peace Council (GPC), many survivors said that they just want a sense of solace. “At least [the government should] build a monument in the memory of our loved ones and compensate their heirs,” one survivor said, as they laid floral wreaths at the site of the tragedy.

“We arranged this ceremony to pay homage to those who lost their lives as we could not offer their funeral processions properly at that time,” said peace activist and GPC Chief Ziauddin Yousufzai.

Hundreds of people including children lost their lives, but neither the provincial nor federal government acknowledged their sacrifices, he regretted. “We demand that the government establish a monument in the honour of the victims,” Yousufzai said, adding that he also sought Rs200,000 compensation for the heirs of each victim.  He also proposed the establishment of a trust to provide livelihood and education to the widows and children of the victims.

Mian Noor Badshah, who was leading the funeral prayer, miraculously survived the blast, but his young son was killed. Recalling the tragedy, he said, “Soon after the funeral prayer, the bomber blew himself up. There was nothing but pools of blood, body parts scattered around, utter chaos. When I ran home, no one believed I had survived as I was the leading the funeral prayer right at the target.”

Badshah heard from someone that his son was among the injured. “When I heard about my son, I raced to the hospital to find my son among the hundreds of injured. My boy was severely injured and died in my lap. Afterwards I do not know what happened.”

On suicide attacks the cleric said, “Killing innocent people at a funeral is the highest degree of barbarism; whoever commits such acts is unforgivable.”

Holding a wreath in his hands Ijlal, 12, told The Express Tribune, “My uncle was killed that day, I am here to remember him as I really miss him. He was very kind to me, he played cricket with me, and he used to give me money on Eid.”

“I hate whoever killed my uncle,” said Ijlal, with tears echoing his words.

Haroon Siraj, who survived the bombing, was looking at pictures of the victims with flowers in his hand and tears in his eyes as he said, “After the blast, I saw my father amidst the chaos. His arm had been blown off and his stomach had been torn open. I screamed and went to try to revive him but he was dead.”

Siraj described the scene at home. “Whenever there is a function in our family,
we miss him very much, but we can do nothing but
weep for him,” he said in a choked voice.

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Forests Wajid Ali Khan, who was present at the ceremony said, “The provincial and the federal governments have done a lot, especially for the heirs of the victims and allocated funds but the international community have not fulfilled their commitments yet.”

Young Ijlal looked less than convinced.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 2nd, 2011.

COMMENTS (4)

Amjad ALi Sahaab | 13 years ago | Reply nice
ziauddin | 13 years ago | Reply A comrehensive report. Weldone Fazal.
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