Assailants target police van carrying suspect in Mardan

Five police personnel, including four officials, injured in powerful explosion.

MARDAN: At least five policemen were wounded when a police van was targeted by a remote-controlled bomb in the Rustam area of Mardan on Friday, officials said.

Police officials said that the bomb was detonated when a van of Rustam Police Station was passing through a bridge near Nawa Kalay area of Mardan District.

Mardan Deputy Inspector-General Abdullah Khan told reporters that 10kg of explosives were used in the attack. He said that explosive material was planted beneath the bridge to target police vans that usually patrol the area.

According to injured SHO Khan Khel, the attack occurred while they were shifting a suspected criminal to a lock-up in Rustam Police Station. He said he had apprehended the man with an AK-47 rifle.

Those injured were identified as SHO Khan Khel, driver Hashmat Ali, constables Subhan, Kachkool, and Iqbal.

Residents took them to District Headquarter Hospital Mardan, where doctors said one of the injured policemen was in critical condition.

A search for the culprits was launched immediately.