Police officer 'aided' deadly Peshawar bombing

Security officials confirm suspect Wali helped bomber gain access

PESHAWAR:

The main facilitator in the Peshawar Police Lines bombing has been revealed to be a police officer. Constable Wali, who has traveled to Afghanistan twice, played a key role in providing all the necessary information to the suicide bomber in the police lines attack, according to officials.

Constable Wali hails from the tribal district of Mohmand and has been serving in the Peshawar police for the past seven years.

Security officials disclosed that Wali had been ideologically supporting terrorism for several years. Investigators have also obtained details about his trips to Afghanistan. According to information provided to Express by security officials, the target of the suicide bomber in the January 30, 2023, police lines attack was the daily attendance record (Roznamcha) office, not the mosque. However, due to an inability to access the intended target, the bomber ended up detonating his payload in the mosque.

Constable Wali facilitated the suicide bomber by providing access to the target, allowing him to enter in uniform, and guiding him on the various procedures. Wali's family has also been questioned, and two individuals have been taken into custody from his residence.

Security sources revealed that Wali had previously served at various locations, including Peshawar Police Lines, and his involvement was uncovered following the recent arrest of the mastermind behind the attack. Investigators arrested Wali after interrogating the mastermind.

According to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police, security officials, and sources in the CTD, the wanted terrorist and facilitator involved in the police lines mosque suicide bombing has been arrested in a joint operation.