Six individuals, including four children, fell victim to a roadside improvised explosive device (IED) blast on the outskirts of Peshawar on Tuesday morning. The incident occurred in close proximity to a private school, leaving a trail of injuries and uncertainty. Authorities, in a bid to unravel the full scope of the attack, shared with The Express Tribune that the precise target would only be discerned after a thorough investigation.
A spokesperson from the Lady Reading Hospital, where the injured were transported, disclosed that among the casualties were three children.
Strikingly, these children were not in school uniforms, indicating that they were innocent passersby caught in the devastating blast. The gravity of the situation was underscored by the spokesperson, who noted that two children were in critical condition.
The explosive force of the blast was such that its echoes reverberated for miles, instigating widespread panic among local residents and causing the shattering of windowpanes in nearby buildings.
Providing insight into the nature of the attack, SP Warsak Division, Arshad Khan, told The Express Tribune that approximately four kilograms of high explosives were employed in the IED attack, which unfolded at around 9:10 in the morning. In response to the escalating security challenges, a meeting convened to assess the law and order situation in the province.
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Presided over by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (retd) Syed Arshad Hussain Shah, the meeting was attended by key officials, including Caretaker Provincial Ministers Dr Aamir Abdullah and Barrister Feroz Jamal Shah Kakakhel, Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, Inspector General of Police Akhtar Hayat Khan Gandapur, and Additional Chief Secretary Home Muhammad Abid Majeed. Divisional commissioners and regional police officers actively participated in the meeting via video link.
The deliberations encompassed a comprehensive analysis of the overall law and order situation, the challenges faced, and the measures adopted by the police force. The chief minister, emphasizing that law and order remained a paramount concern for the caretaker government, pledged the expeditious allocation of necessary resources to fortify the capabilities of the police force.
Acknowledging the commendable efforts of the police, he urged enhanced vigilance and coordination in response to the evolving security landscape.
Reaffirming the government's commitment, the chief minister mandated the formulation of a robust plan to strengthen and enhance the capacity of the police force, particularly in newly merged districts.
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He stressed the implementation of this plan and underscored the imperative need for a mechanism to recognize and reward outstanding police performance. He acknowledged the commendable role of the police force in maintaining law and order and safeguarding the lives and properties of citizens. However, given the current circumstances, he emphasized the imperative for the police force to operate with heightened vigilance and improved coordination to attain the desired results.
Additionally, he called for systematic improvements in the prosecution process to ensure the swift and just punishment of those involved in acts of terrorism and other serious crimes. The chief minister, in conclusion, pledged unwavering support to maintain high morale among police personnel and elevate their capabilities in the face of adversity.
Additional input by Reuters
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