Bomb attack on security vehicle in Risalpur leaves two dead

Police official and driver killed; DSP says attack may be revenge for capture of Taliban commander.

PESHAWAR: Two people were killed in an explosion on a security vehicle in the Risalpur area of the Nowshera district on Friday.

(Read more: Risalpur under fire)

According to initial reports, a Station House Officer (SHO) Ajmir Shah and his driver Shakeel were killed on the spot when their security vehicle was hit by what eyewitnesses described to be a suicide bomer.

District Police Officer (DSP) of Risalpur Saad Khan said that the attack may have taken place to avenge the capture of Taliban commander Jannut Gul, for which Shah played a vital role.

Four others were injured, including one policeman. There were shifted to the Dictrict Headquarter Hospital.

Eyewitnesses also added that body parts of the alleged bomber were scattered near the vehicle.

Risalpur, a town of around 20,000 people, is home to the Pakistan Air Force Academy, the Military College of Engineering, the Pakistan Army Engineers Centre and the Military Engineering Services School.

Nowshera, a city heavily dominated by military establishments, is just seven kilometres away and has been the target of Taliban militants in recent years.

Earlier this year, in August, at least 11 people were killed and 15 others injured when a remote-controlled bomb ripped through a crowded market in Risalpur.

Risalpur itself, however, had not been targeted before in a fatal attack. The only attack before this was on November 9, 2007, when three rocket-propelled grenades were fired by unidentified militants but landed in places that did not cause any damage to human life.