Two terrorists slain by their own explosives in Peshawar

Third one critically injured; blast occurred before they could reach their target

PESHAWAR:

Two terrorists were killed and a third one suffered severe injuries on Sunday when the explosives they were transporting went off in Peshawar.

Their bodies and the injured terrorist were shifted to a hospital.

A heavy contingent of police later surrounded the area of the blast, and initiated a search operation.
However, nobody had been arrested by the time this report was filed.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sardar Ali Amin Gandapur condemned the blast and sought a report from the provincial police chief.

Speaking to the media, Senior Superintendent of Police (Operations) Kashif Aftab Abbasi said that four to five kilogrammes of explosives were used in the blast, but it was too early to say who the target was.
“We are investigating [the case].”

Elaborating further, the official said the three terrorists were riding a motorcycle.

“According to the bomb disposal unit report, the blast was not a suicide attack but occurred during the transfer of explosives.”

The SSP said according to the investigation team, no civilian was martyred in the blast, but the terrorists riding the motorcycle became victims to the explosives themselves.
He continued that before the terrorist could reach their target, the explosives went off killing two of them.

The third terrorist, who was injured in the blast, had been identified as Usman, aged between 28 and 30 years.

The police official said the motorcycle was completely destroyed in the explosion. He added that the scope of investigation would be expanded by retrieving its engine and chassis numbers.

According to Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) officials, the two slain terrorists have been identified as Sulaiman and Amir. They added that one of them was a would-be suicide bomber who belonged to Dir district and currently residing in Peshawar.

The officials said Usman was in a serious condition right now and would be interrogated as soon as he regained consciousness.

They continued that the three men were wanted by the CTD. Mobile phones and other items have been recovered from their possession.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq condemned the incident in Peshawar and thanked the Almighty that the nation was spared from a great loss.

The premier in his statement said the police and security forces had always stood like a wall against terrorism.

“They [the police and security forces] are determined to eradicate terrorism from the roots,” he added.
PM Shehbaz has sought a report from the K-P police chief on the incident.