KHAR/ PESHAWAR: At least 24 people, including seven Levies personnel, were killed while 66 others were injured on Friday when a suicide bomber attacked security personnel in Khar Bazaar, the main town of Bajaur Agency.
A curfew was imposed in the area for an indefinite period after the attack.
The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack.
"We carried out the attack today," said TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan. "We are very happy today that we have achieved our target."
A senior official from the area, Hasib Khan, told The Express Tribune that a suicide bomber – reportedly a teenager – detonated himself near a Levies check post in the middle of the main square in Khar Bazaar. “Seven Leives personnel died in the attack,” he said.
A senior official of the political administration, Fida Muhammad, was also killed in the attack.
Political Agent Islam Zed, while confirming that it was a suicide attack, said that the security had been beefed up after Thursday’s attack in Bajaur Agency, even then the attack couldn’t be thwarted.
He said no transport, except for ambulances and vehicles carrying the injured, was being allowed to enter or leave the area as a result of the curfew.
All shops were closed after the imposition of the curfew except for pharmacies, which remained open in case of an emergency.
An official from the area told The Express Tribune that initial reports suggested that the target of the bomber was Subedar Major Javed and Subedar Quarter Master Fazl Rabi, who was also honoured with the Tamgha-e-Shujaat award.
Some of the injured who were shifted to Agency Headquarter Hospital Khar said that the bomber was a young boy who attacked Levies personnel seated outside a shop, owned by Haji Ramzan.
The commander of Bajaur Scouts told The Express Tribune that there were reports of the suicide bomber coming from across the border and staying overnight in the area before carrying out the attack.
All shops were closed after the imposition of the curfew except for pharmacies, which remained open in case of an emergency.
One of the injured explained that the bomber ran towards the security officials and detonated himself.
Officials are investigating the matter.
Officials at the Agency Headquarter Hospital said that the condition of many injured was critical and that some of them might be shifted to Peshawar and other nearby districts. An emergency has been declared at the hospital.
On Thursday, five people, including three security officials, were killed while one person suffered injuries when two roadside Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) went off in Bajaur Agency.
Officials had said that two of the men were from the FC while one was from the Bajaur Levies.
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@Haris Here is the link where IK condemns the suicide bombing in Bajur. http://www.insaf.pk/News/tabid/60/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/11211/Chairman-strongly-condemns-the-suicide-attack-in-Bajaur-Agency.aspx. Imran Khan said it many many times in his speeches and interviews that we are playing the role of mercenaries by taking money to kill our own people.Everyone knows in Pakistan to whom this word 'we' refers to.Perhaps, you don't know.
@Abdul Maalik: Can you please show me the link to the news/video in which Imran khan condemned the terrorists who targeted innocent people in Bajawar yestrday. You are calling pak army a "mercinary army ", but I have yet to hear this kind of remark from your leader. And finally, not all the 7 million tribal pakhtuns are terrorists. They are only a few thousand who are getting support from Afghanistan/CIA/RAW, in return of our decades long history of interference in Afghanistan, and who at home are encouraged by the political philosophies of people like Imrana khan, JUI and JI etc. Tribal Pakhtuns loathe them because they have destroyed the social fabric of their society. These criminals are involved in attacking Jirgas, mosques and funerals, and even kidnapping for ransom and their ideology is in clash with Pakhtunwali in many respects. So please do not consider these terrorrists as if they represent the whole tribal society.
@Haris Janab! Imran khan not only condemns these attacks but he also tells the way to get-rid of these attacks.Condemning alone will not solve the issue because if you see the newspapers over the last 5 years, almost all the leaders have been continuously condemning these attacks.But, have these attacks stopped? It is the remedy to get out of this miserable solution due to which you differ from Imran Khan.You have the theory that Pakistan should kill all these terrorists.But, as you have seen that Pakistan have not been able to eliminate them over the last 8 years despite carrying out operations everywhere.Actually, these terrorists have spread the theory in trible areas that they are fighting to safeguard Islam because Pakistan army is a mercinary army who is helping the americans in their war.Due to this reason tribesmen also believe that these terrorists are doing Jihad.If your solution of controlling these terrorists is adopted, then you will have to kill 7 millions tribesmen to get rid of few thousands terrorists? Is this acceptable for you? The other solution, which Iman Khan has been proposing over the last 10 years is that get out of war on terror.This will kill the concept of Jihad in those trible areas.Then, the tribesmen will themselves kill/control these terrorists because they know their hideouts.Choice is yours!
@Ishtiaq: @butt jee: @Amjad: If your comments are true, it is called 'pay-back time' and long overdue. India on your eastern side, USA, Afghan and India your northern and western front. Any guess which direction is left?
why it isnt affecting our daily life?
Why dont Imran khan and his likes maulana fazl ur Rahman and Nawaz sharif condemn this heinous crime? They wont because their politics is based on tacit support to the agenda and ideology of these barbarians. Nawaz sharif more out of fear wont condemn. The other day he chalked out plan of protest jalsas in KP against PM. I hope he or his outspoken brother will muster courage to be part of these jalsas and would not try to furthr aggrevate the KP volatile situation thru remote control or stooges like Amir Muqam. How about a jalsa in Bajwar or waziristan?
It must be painful for Pakistan to have CIA, MOSSAD and RAW all beating them at their own game with little effort. They just can't get away from losing no matter how hard they try.
@DB: Can US either eliminate taliban or even al qaeda from Afghanistan? The answer is no, so what do you expect Pakistan to do?
US can contain Taliban or al quaida inside US, i.e. their own country. No one is inviting Pakistan into Afghanistan; only telling you to eliminate them from Pakistan, i.e. your own country. In fact that. is the whole point - Take care of the mess in your own country, instead of playing Jihadi games un neighbouring countries.
Oh it's in the far off area inhabited by Pakhtuns, blasts matter only if it occurs in Idlamabad Lahore and Karachi.... Equality in the state of Pakistan
Another teenage kid sacrificed along with 21 other innocent people and the terrorist spokesperson, Ehsanullah Ehsan, proudly claimed that the TTP was happy today that they achieved their target. Ending the life of a teenage kid and destroying the lives of 20 families along with him? Do we ever take a moment to think about the sickening mentality these barbaric people have? They kill without remorse and proudly take the responsibility of their heinous crimes. Do these acts not remind us that we must stand together, and eliminate the threat that’s preventing us from bringing peace and stability to the region? We must pull ourselves out of the blame game and see that these terrorists are preventing us from achieving our common objectives. Terrorist organizations like the TTP carry the blood of thousands of innocent Pakistanis on their hands. And anybody who thinks that this in not Pakistan’s war, is simply bowing down to terrorism, while offering a free pass to the killers of thousands.
By giving any credence to these terrorists, we not only disrespect the sacrifices of our brave soldiers on both sides of the border but also say that we do not care about their sacrifices. The need of the hour is to combine our efforts like we have in the past, and squeeze the life out of these terrorist organizations.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the brave police officers and innocent civilians who were targeted and killed. We should not forget the teenager, who had his whole live in front of him, driven by these heartless barbarians to these deaths and destruction. We must reflect!
Maj David Nevers DET-United States Central Command www.centcom.mil/ur
@Bismillah Khan: Can US either eliminate taliban or even al qaeda from Afghanistan? The answer is no, so what do you expect Pakistan to do?
So sad and tragic , May Allah bless all those died
@butt jee: Please see what OBL had to said to mehsud: Bin Laden Letters: Al Qaeda told Mehsud to stop attacking Pakistan mosques, markets. So much for your CIA, RAW and Mossad conspiracy theory. Hope this will force you to update your database until unless you see conspiracy in these OBL letters too. In that case consults some higher power.
Strategic depth!!!!
Where is Imran Khan and other pro-Taliban loudmouths to defend this ? Is this attack on Pakistanis in Bajaur also due to US sitting in Kabul ?
Very Sad but more shocking is that no Tv coverage for such big loss of life in this tragic accident. All tv Channels busy in Karachi tribal belt leyri. Shame Shame Pakistani electronic media.
@Concerned: It is not TTP alone but TTP sponsored by Indian Intelligence, Afghan Intelligence and patronized by US which is responsible for such acts. Tit for tat is the answer to the problem.
Just an observation:Most attacks in Pakistan happen on friday. Someone with detailed information should figure out the time on friday
@bingo: read again... 107 Indian “Consulates” and RAW Intel (terror) Units.... altogether
There is Indian terror network in Afghanistan. 107 Indian "Consulates" & RAW Intel Units in Afghanistan spreading terror to Pakistan. Many analysts have provided robust proof of the Indian involvement in terror attacks in Pakistan.
It's very sad to see people are get killed in terror attacks be it in Mumbai or Multan...I don't understand why people kill each other, when the god has given us this beautiful world to live peacefully....the worst part is people kill and hate each other based on religion, because every religion preaches us peace and love, i believe if people become more fanatic based on religion and hate each other then one day we all are going to die and killed by each other and nothing will be left in this earth...
@Aryabhat: That's right terrorism is a curse- even when India pays these anti Pakistan cowards to kill innocent civilans in Pakistan or engages in state terrorism in occupied Kashmir. These cowards who kill innocents may celebrate the work they are doing for their foreign masters but they will never win. People in Pakistan hate them.
@ read, Personally I feel very sad on each death, especially on death of those brave soldiers who are defending our country, but as a nation, we have become very insensitive and aloof. You will see the reason in the story of my village. In my village a man had a very dangerous dog. That dog used to bite people and animals at will but owner did not leash the dog, instead he laughed and enjoyed when people and animals suffered. One day, dog attacked the owner and bit him very badly. No one came to sympathise the owner. Should we still blame people on their insensitive attitude?
Having seen recent activities on behalf of the insurgent,I come to the conclusion that there is conflict between the Taliban groups because Afghan Taliban has become part of the peace process still going on between Afghan Taliban and the united States.why they can commit such act?
According to the media information,TTP has claimed responsibility but it has not been confirmed by independent,reliable sources.
Wisdom is in search of new directions,there is insurgency in Baluchistan ,branches may expend to the Bajuar Agency,it needs more investigation.
@Aryabhat: These are not muslims, nor pakistanis. They are mercenaries, who will take money from anyone and act on it. There is no such thing as conspiracy anymore ... there are proven facts that they are mercenaries of your mentioned agencies. Hope you dont mix up the Maos, and the Kashmiris here?
if it was happened in lahore/islamabad... media and ppl would have totally different response/coverage ???????????
@p r sharma: He was talking about comments on TOI not about the incident
I am waiting for someone to try and say that this is all RAW, CIA, Mossad conspiracy.
Pls get real. This senseless death and destructions are brought to you by TTP. They are Muslim and Pakistani - killing their own. Because that is all they know. To kill. Sensible or not. That is what they have been taught.
Time for Pakistan to wake up and accept that Terrorism is a Curse - EVERYWHERE. Stop training, abetting and supporting Terrorism, else it will eat you away.
Do remember - Ped boya babul ka, Aam kahan se hoy?
@Concerned: What might ? What armed forces ? Have you caught the 400 escaped terrorists ?
These deaths are sad, but only for the families of those who died - the rest of you are busy shouting slogans against India and burning american flag.
@toilet: Yes attitude of not caring i.e. insensitivity has crept in the minds of readers. It is very sad and probably indicate hopelessness.
Being a pashtoon not surprising we see it everyday although hardly 10% of the cases are reported.
terrible state of affairs. Instead of dying in recurrant attacks the army should do a full scale operation against these monsters.
Our Pak armed forces can neither eliminate them nor allow US drones to operate. These incidents continue for the next ten years. The problem is no other country accept our people to migrate.
@read: in TOI you can see nonstop comments, most of them are teenagers and false flagers. who cares it.
@Concerned: Alas. both died in the explosion. :(
Hope both Junior Commissioned officers survived the attack which has not been mentioned in the report. These TTP cowards should be eliminated with full might of the security forces by launching a massive scale operation.
More snakes biting the snake charmers.
go to timesof india read same news
Teenage suicide bomber kills 16 in Pakistan
atleast 100 comments but here no comments.
Very Sad and bad news
here we go