Tragedy struck Peshawar early Wednesday morning when a suicide bomber blew himself up in the historic Qissa Khawani Bazaar, killing at least six people, among them three policemen, and injuring at least 37 others.
The blast ripped through the vehicle of Superintendent Police (SP) Investigations, Hilal Haider, in a congested part of the city, littering the street with blood and body parts, witnesses said.
The explosion severely damaged the double-cabin vehicle of SP Hilal, killing him, his driver Ilayas and his gunman Murad on the spot. Three passersby were also killed in the explosion.
SP Hilal had left his residence and was en route to his office when the suicide bomber who, according to police, was on foot, struck the vehicle.
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed the bomber belonged to the group. The Express Tribune, however, could not independently verify the claim.
The attack also left at least 37 people injured, who were rushed to the Lady Reading Hospital. Medics said six of the injured were in a critical condition. Two policemen – Umar Nabi and Javed – were also among the injured.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Imtiaz Hussain, the deputy superintendent of police (DSP) of the Khan Raziq police station, said SP Hilal was the target of the suicide attack. “Police are the primary target of terrorists in our province and it is one such incident,” he added.
Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Special Branch Shafqat Malik said the suicide bomber carried around 8 kilogrammes of explosives, adding that they have found the attacker’s head. “He was a bearded young man, who came running from the nearby street,” Malik added.
Eyewitness accounts
“What I saw was darkness which arose in the shape of smoke and engulfed the entire area. The screams of the injured could be heard everywhere and I will not forget them in my lifetime,” said Sabir Khan, who also sustained minor injuries.
Another injured, Salah Muhammad resident of Matani said he came to the market early in the morning to purchase a pair of shoes for his marriage. “The explosion occurred right in front of me and I received shrapnel wounds,” he said.
Witness Amin Khan described the moment the bomber struck.
“I was in a rickshaw, going to the local market to purchase tea for my shop,” he said. “Suddenly a deafening blast shook the area. My rickshaw was overturned. When I came out I saw smoke and dust had covered the blast site,” he said.
Collateral damage
Suicide and bomb attacks blamed on insurgents have killed more than 5,200 people across the country since July 2007.
On November 3, at least six people were killed and three others injured when a TTP suicide bomber targeted a local anti-Taliban militia chief in Buner district.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 8th, 2012.
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