Bloodshed in Hangu: Eight dead as bomber targets tribal elder

Malik Habibullah was not in the car rammed by suicide attacker.

HANGU: A suicide bomber targeting a tribal elder in a crowded bazaar of Hangu city killed eight people and injured 11 others on Monday.

According to police, the bomber struck the car of tribal elder Malik Habibullah Khan in the Torha Warhai area of Doaba Bazaar. At the time of the explosion, Malik Habibullah was not in the vehicle.

The teenage bomber drove his motorcycle into the car as soon as it tried to cruise past around 4:30pm, Shaukat Ali Shah, the deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Thal, told The Express Tribune. Six people were killed on the spot and more than 10 others injured, he added. “Rescuers and investigators collected the severed limbs of the bomber along with the victims’ remains.”

Rescuers and security officials rushed to the site after the explosion, administration officials said, adding that Malik Habibullah was not in the car – but his brother Malik Abdullah and two cousins were killed.

The casualties were shifted to the Combined Military Hospital and Tehsil Headquarters Hospital in Thall, and Hangu District Headquarters Hospital.



Seven vehicles and 10 shops in the market were also destroyed in the blast.

DSP Shah confirmed that the bomber wanted to target Malik Habibullah who has been actively involved in counter-insurgency efforts in the region. He had been receiving threats from militants based in Kurram and Orakzai agencies.

Eyewitness Ghani Shah, who was also injured in the blast, corroborated the police account.

“I was shopping in the market when a car came out from the Torha Warhai terminal and a teenage motorcyclist rammed into the car,” Shah recalled.

“There was a deafening explosion followed by a fireball. Shrapnel hit me in the chest and shoulder and I fell unconscious,” he added.

Executive District Officer (Health) Dr Muhammad Ishaq identified the dead as Malik Abdullah, Shah Mehmood, Ubaidullah, Ghazi Marjan, Swabi Khan, Afsar Khan, Momin Khan and Akhtar Khan.

The attack was followed by a security clampdown that led to the closure of shops and businesses.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 9^th, 2013.