FIA team arrives in Peshawar to investigate church attack

The team will collect evidence from the blast site, inspect the church building and its surroundings.


Web Desk September 24, 2013
Two suicid­e bomber­s with 12 kilogr­ammes of explos­ive materi­al attack­ed the church after Sunday mass. PHOTO: AFP

ISLAMABAD: A Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) team has arrived in Peshawar from Islamabad to start its investigation into the twin suicide blasts that killed more than 80 Christian worshippers, Express News reported on Tuesday.

The team will collect evidence from the blast site and inspect the church building and its surroundings.

According to initial investigation, each of the bombers carried at least six kilogrammes of high explosives in his suicide vest. “Ball bearings were also used in the devices to maximise casualties,” Additional AIG (Special Branch) and head of the Bomb Disposal Squad Shafqat Malik told The Express Tribune.

“We found the skull of one bomber soon after the explosions, while the second head was found on the rooftop of the church,” he added.

Attack

Two attackers struck at the end of Sunday Mass at All Saints Church in Peshawar on September 22.

The bombers entered the church through the main gate which was reopened for the Sunday Mass after almost three years of closure. Police also found a 9mm pistol at the site which substantiated some witnesses’ account that the attackers fired gunshots and lobbed a hand grenade to engage the police guards at the church.

As the death toll from the blasts mounted to 83, the intensity of protests escalated — with the enormity of the tragedy sinking in more deeply into the national psyche.

Enraged Christians took to the streets in several parts of the country — some protested peacefully, while others resorted to violence.

Medics and government officials said that 78 parishioners, among them 34 women and seven children, were killed

The K-P government announced Rs500,000 in compensation to the families of victims in the attack.

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COMMENTS (10)

numbersnumbers | 10 years ago | Reply

@naeem hussain: Pleeeeze tell us how you know that these are "Indian and American backed terrorists", or we may just decide that you are making these delusions up!

US CENTCOM | 10 years ago | Reply

We repeat what Jen Psaki, Department of State Spokesperson, said: “We support Pakistan’s efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice. The United States remains concerned about continuing sectarian violence in Pakistan that has brought heartache to Sunnis, Shia, Christians, and members of other communities across the country. Extremist violence against innocent Pakistani men, women, and children of any faith is an assault on universal human values.” Those who choose to side with conspiracy theories are only letting the obvious culprits off the hook. Our nations are working night and day to restore peace in the region. It is no secret that nation of Pakistan continues to face the wrath of terrorism. We will continue to support Pakistan in its effort to counter terrorism, and wish to see peace prevail throughout the region.

Ali Khan DET, United States Central Command

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