3 of a family killed in Peshawar blast

PESHAWAR:

Three people of one family have lost their lives in the Kocha Risaldar suicide blast.

Local residents told The Express Tribune that Muzhar Ali Akhunzada, Mujahid Akhunzada and Ali Akhunzada were in the mosque at the time of the attack. They are first cousins and all of them were killed in the attack.

“Mujahid Ali Akhunzada survived an attempt on his life a few years ago in which he was badly injured. His uncle Anwar Ali Akundzada was also assassinated in a targeted attack in Peshawar a decade ago. One of their cousins, a doctor by profession, was shot dead inside his clinic in Peshawar Saddar eight years ago,” they said.

Local residents said that all of the three deceased belonged to a prominent Shia family of Peshawar and they were very active in their community in way or the other.

Initial investigations and CCTV footage confirmed that the suicide bomber was wearing black shalwar qameez who fired at policemen deployed outside the Kocha Risaldar Mosque for security.

Police constable Jameel was martyred on the spot when the attacker opened fire at him while the other was seriously injured. In total two policemen Jamil Khan and Akhtar Hussain were martyred and one injured in the firing and subsequent suicide attack.

A 9 mm pistol was used in the firing which police took into possession.

A police official said that it was almost impossible to tell the attacker from the worshippers because he dressed in black costume like other Shia worshipers.

The last rites of the two slain policemen were offered at Malik Saad Police Lines in Peshawar on Friday afternoon.

Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, provincial minister Kamran Bangash, IGP and other police officers were present on the occasion.

IGP talked to the families of the martyrs and said that the sacrifices of police martyrs would not go in vain.

Governor Shah Farman while condemning the suicide attack in a mosque at Kocha Risaldar expressed grief over loss of precious lives in the incident.

In a message issued Friday, he expressed sorrow over the incident and said that government shares the grief of bereaved families in this hour of distress.

Condemning the inhuman act, he said that perpetrators of the incident want to disrupt peace and create disharmony and difference among people.

He said that elements involved in the terror incident would be dealt with iron hand and brought to court of law.

Shah Farman also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls and granting courage to members of bereaved families. He also prayed for early recovery of the injured.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 5^th, 2022.