Accidental detonation: Suspected suicide bomber killed in Shangla blast

SHANGLA:

A suspected teenage suicide bomber was killed after his explosive vest accidently went off in Ponyal area of Chakesar on Friday.

Shangla SP Gulzar Ali told journalists the incident occurred at around 1:20pm, adding the bomber was identified as Muhammad Afzal, a resident of Ponyal Dheri.

Initial investigations revealed the suspected suicide bomber was on his way when the incident occurred. Fortunately, no other loss of life was reported as no one was present in the area when the bomb exploded.

Following the incident, security forces along with a heavy contingent of police rushed to the spot and collected evidence, the SP said. The arm and foot of the bomber was mutilated due to the impact of the blast.

“It hasn’t been ascertained yet whether the teenage bomber was targeting a specific area or was just transporting the explosives to someone else,” he added. Security forces surrounded the area and tightened security on all entry and exit routes.

The SP revealed Afzal’s brother identified as Sheikh Muhammad, who has been in custody, was also wanted by the security forces for his involvement in multiple attacks.

“Afzal was allegedly involved in attacks on the police in the district and was the mastermind of the remote-controlled bomb attack on May 26 that killed five police officials, including the DSP of Poran tehsil Circle in Kotkay,” Gulzar said.

The accused was also said to be part of an attack on SP Gulzar himself on March 29, in which he narrowly escaped.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 21^st, 2013.