Mansehra explosions: Constable killed, six injured in twin blasts

DPO says police was targeted in both instances.

MANSEHRA: A police constable was killed and five others, among them a sub inspector, were injured in twin blasts in Mansehra on Tuesday.

Police said the attacks were caused by remote-controlled blasts by the roadside, adding police vans were the prime target. No group had claimed  responsibility for the attacks until this report was filed.

DSP Tariq Khan said the first bomb exploded near Chakriali on Jail Road, nearly a kilometre away from Police Lines. The device was detonated seconds after a police mobile passed by.

However, another vehicle with two passengers came under attack. The passengers and driver, who were returning from Mansehra Jail after meeting prisoners, sustained serious injuries. They were identified as Khurram Shah, Ayam Miskeen and Saqib.



Nearly four hours after the explosion, a police van was attacked on the same road by another device planted by the roadside.

DPO Khurram Rasheed said police personnel were returning from Police Lines when the explosion occurred. Constable Aurangzeb was killed on the spot, while sub-inspector Chanan Khan, constable Sajid and passer-by Saleem were injured.

Nearly 2.5 kilogrammes (kgs) of explosives were used in the first attack and 3kgs in the second attack, the DPO said, adding police was targeted in both instances.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 25^th, 2013.