Untraceable: Non-customs paid, unregistered vehicle used in Qissa Khwani blast

Extortionist injured, accomplice arrested in police operation.

PESHAWAR: The explosive-laden Toyota Corolla car used in Sunday’s Qissa Khwani terror attack was a non-customs paid vehicle with no registration record, an Excise and Taxation department official told The Express Tribune on Tuesday.

“A brand new white Corolla was used in the attack. When the chassis and engine number were recovered and sent to the excise department, it was discovered the department had no record of the car,” said the official. “This simply means it was a non-customs paid and unregistered vehicle.”



Most vehicles used in suicide blasts and attacks are either stolen or non-custom paid, making it very difficult for investigators to trace the culprits and retrace their trail. These vehicles are easily available in Jamrud, Khyber Agency as well as in Malakand and Mohmand Agency. Anyone can go to a car showroom and purchase them for a few hundred thousand rupees, said the official.

In an attempt to thwart future attacks, police and local trade bodies have banned parking inside the Qissa Khwani Bazaar. Consumers and commuters have been asked to park their vehicles outside and approach the market on foot. Barriers have also been placed on both sides on the road to restrict parking.

The police said they are seriously considering eliminating and cracking down on illegal parking lots in the city as part of security measures in light of the recent attacks.

Extortionists arrested

An alleged extortionist and his accomplice were arrested following a shootout with the police in the jurisdiction of Yakatoot police station on Tuesday evening.

Police officials raided a house in Sharifabad after receiving a tip-off. A team lead by the SHO was fired upon by the men who were hiding in the house. The ensuing firefight between the suspects and police officials lasted for nearly fifteen minutes, leaving one of the alleged culprits injured.

“A man identified as Tahseenullah, a resident of Darra Adam Khel, and his accomplice have been arrested,” a police official told The Express Tribune. “The men were demanding Rs5 million from a trader in Saddar bazaar,” added the official, claiming the trader informed the police who then discovered the whereabouts of the alleged extortionists.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 2^nd, 2013.