Suicide attacker, handlers used rickshaw to reach Peshawar imambargah: CTD

PM Imran says he is personally monitoring investigation, coordinating with CTD and agencies over Peshawar attack

PESHAWAR:

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) has unearthed the terrorists’ plot wherein a suicide attack on imambargah in Peshawar's Kocha Risaldar area claimed the lives of at least 56 people and injured nearly 200 others on Friday.

Inspector General Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa said that it was a suicide attack and at least 150 ball bearings were used in the suicide vest. He added that the attackers were on foot when they attacked police guards and the imambargah.

Hours after the incident, the CTD said a suicide bomber and his two handlers entered the provincial capital via Namak Mandi and then headed towards Kocha Risaldar area using Kohati Gate to reach near the imambargah on auto-rickshaw.

CCTV footage captures the moment the Peshawar suicide bomber arrives at the imambargah with two accomplices during Friday prayers. At least 56 people including police personnel were martyred in the attack.

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— The Express Tribune (@etribune) March 4, 2022

Two armed men who arrived near the imambargah opened fire when they were stopped by the police before one of them forced his way into a crowded hall and detonated his suicide vest.

One of the accomplices entered the street with a suicide bomber wearing a black suit and jacket. While the fellow handler was dressed in white and his face was covered with a piece of cloth, as per the CTD.

Also read: At least 56 dead, dozens injured in Peshawar imambargah suicide attack

Prime Minister Imran Khan also confirmed the development, saying that the authorities have collected all information regarding the origins of the terrorists and “are going after them with full force”.

“[I] Have personally been monitoring operations & coordinating with CTD & Agencies in the wake of the cowardly terrorist attack on Peshawar Imambargah. We now have all info regarding origins of where the terrorists came from & are going after them with full force,” he wrote on his official Twitter handle.

Have personally been monitoring operations & coordinating with CTD & Agencies in the wake of the cowardly terrorist attack on Peshawar Imambargah. We now have all info regarding origins of where the terrorists came from & are going after them with full force.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 4, 2022

In a follow-up tweet, the premier expressed sorrow over the terrorist attack saying, “My deepest condolences go to the victims' families & prayers for the recovery of the injured.”

He added that he had directed the K-P chief minister to personally visit the families and look after their needs.