TTP claims responsibility for suicide attack in Peshawar
Speaking to AFP by telephone, the group's spokesperson Shahidullah Shahid said: "We claim responsibility for the Peshawar attack on Tuesday. We have no loss from operation Zarb-e-Azb," referring to the military strikes.
"We are still as active as the past and will show the mirror to the PML-N as we showed the ANP (Awami National Party)."
Earlier on Tuesday morning, at least four people were killed and 18 others sustained injuries in a bomb attack on Frontier Corps (FC) convoy near Peshawar Press Club.
An ISPR official confirmed the death toll and said the injured were shifted to the Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) and Combined Military Hospital (CMH), two of whom are reportedly in critical condition.
Security forces cordoned off the entire area soon after the attack and barred people from entering the police line. They also fired excessively in the air for reasons not known, causing panic in the area.
ISPR said that initial investigation into the attack suggest that it was a suicide blast targeting the convoy of DIG FC Brigadier Khalid Javed - second-most senior officer in the FC force.
“He was injured but his condition is completely stable,” the official said. He added that one FC official, who was accompanying Brigadier Javed, and three civilians were killed in the attack.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the attack which took place near on Sher Shah Suri Road in the city.
Police officials stand beside a mangled rickshaw at the site of a suicide bomb attack in Peshawar on September 23, 2014. PHOTO: AFP
CCPO Peshawar Ejaz Ahmed, while speaking to Express News, said the suicide bomber was in a Suzuki Alto car and detonated explosives as soon as he got close to the FC vehicle.
AIG Shafqat Malik told The Express Tribune that 45kg explosive were used in the explosion while the CCPO told the media that shells were also found in the car.
Investigators believe the car was coming from Kohat Road.
A forensics official collects evidence at the site of a suicide bomb attack in Peshawar on September 23, 2014. PHOTO: AFP
IG Malik, while speaking to the media, said police have found the chassis and engine numbers of the car and are close to reaching the owner of the vehicle.
He said the police are yet to confirm if the car was stolen or not.
Senior police official Najibur Rehman said the attack appeared to be in reaction to the ongoing military operation in North Waziristan.
In 2010, Frontier Constabulary (FC) Commandant Sifwat Ghayyur and three other people were killed and 11 injured in a brazen suicide attack in the very area.
COMMENTS (31)
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Even though the article clearly states that the only reason for this attack is the pathetic skills of PML-N to handle different issues and KPK is paying the price for their deeds, yet I see so many of our commenters pointing fingers at PTI.
I wonder if they have lost sense of reading? IDP's are the result of federation policies and are principle responsibility of Federation. Floods are the principle responsibility of both federal and two provincial governments i.e. Punjab and Sindh and yet even PTI is blamed for it. I am sure if the same had happened in KPK, the blame would have been squarely on the PTI for floods but now that it has happened in Punjab and Sindh....still PTI is blamed for it.
Do argue but with logic and not what your leaders or media stuff into your brain. What is Nawaz Sharif doing in New York if the same logic is applied that CM KPK is busy in Islamabad even though he comes later in the evening and returns back at night after spending all the day at work. Moreover, unlike Punjab, security is trusted to a very competent IG and CM don't tell him where to deploy his forces and how to do his job.
TTP is a dying monster trying desperately by these acts to show it is alive.
@lol: Goodness- so it is not enough to blame former COAS, CJ, ECP, interim Punjab CM of collusion without ever providing proof. Now you want to drag Indians into an issue which has nothing to do with them? Absurd. It is Imran and PTI which has always defended TTP and refused to ever hold them accountable for their acts of terror. Stop laming Indians.
ET - please print. Such adhominem attacks on Indians need to be rebutted.
@Only If:
Going by that logic, Nawaz and his goons have failed much more than that. Apparently Ch. Nisar is very good at getting intel on how many to be exact suicide bombers have breached into Islamabad BUT only when he wants to scare the opposition and their supporters. Rest of the times, not so much.
@Only If: PTI should resign in KPK since their incompetence and dancing in Islamabad Dharna is compromising safety of people. Wasting a billion rupees on late night violent parties instead of helping IDPs is what PTI has been doing. Shame on their behavior.
@Shehzad: Agree with your comments. Local police has a job on their hands to locate the hideouts of the militants but I am not sure whether they can bust them on their own against a formidable outfit and shall require help from para-military or army units. Surprisingly, there is little focus on striking militants and their sleeper cells entrenched in cities, town and villages right in heart of the country. The TTP infrastructure appears to be still intact and they were just lying low but have now started carrying out violent activities as before which should cause some worry to security forces to take them on before things go out of hand once again.
A sure sign that Zarb-e-Arb is being effective ....... it's just unfortunate that KPK is taking the full brunt of the backlash.....and other provinces will also face the same, it's only a matter of time.
@Salam Alaikum: Please tell us who is oppressing Muslims in Pakistan? If the entire Muslim world would support and care for all the Muslims in the world (leave alone non-Muslims), there will be Peace on Earth.
These things are bound to happen as long as oppression of Muslims continues in Pakistan. Stop discrimination against Muslims. Give them freedom, peace will follow. The entire Muslim world supports these brothers who chose to sacrifice for justice.
@Only if
There were 175 suicide attacks in KPK in 2012-2013 before PTI took over govt. In 2014, there has ben 16 suicide attacks so far, that too, with the biggest army operation in progress.
KPK CM had been performing dual duties. During daytime he is in KPK and in eve in Islamabad. Since the beginning of this week, he has been in KPK 24 hrs and will show up at dharna on Sundays only
@Moiz Omar: There was not any fault of Korean Prime minister of Korea when Boat accident happened in Korea. That's example is quoted by Khan sb with his every peach at container. Charity begins from home
@Asif Khan: @biased: @MUNIB: CM will Not resign, and why should he resign. Grow up guys, Security has been handed over to The Army and FC of the KPK, it was done long ago, the security was handed over to them by the Center and not by the Provincial Government, start reading and get some knowledge before commenting. You better ask the center to resign. I feel sorry for you, KPK has faced more bloodshed than any other province, How about uncountable blasts in ANP era, did any one resign. Grow up.
I keep posting hate comments agianst PTI so much that I see Imran Khan even in my dreams
Why should the CM KPK resign? It wasn't the KPK police that randomlt started firing!
There are Indian trolls as well, helping out pmln. Anyway, sad to see 4 people lost their lives & disgusted at seeing vile comments on somebody's death! You guys should be ashamed of it! And as for this attack, coas clearly told us that there will be some backlash because of zarb e azb, the target here was a Brigadier. ET please block all such vile comments.
Pathetic people pointing finger to PTI, hated to compare as each and every life is essential and extremely precious but if someone is logical must compare it from last government tenure.
If Pervaiz Khattak takes responsibility and resign?, that will be good right? given the lengthy talks and dancing lessons his master gives every night and tell us stories of South Korean PM resigning over a ferry incident. So now will your CM resign Imran? or have you been playing with innocent people's hearts and minds or what is that you are exactly up to Captain?
The haters of CM didn't commented on the following news appearing two day back:
In time: 20kg bomb defused in Hangu http://tribune.com.pk/story/765085/in-time-20kg-bomb-defused-in-hangu/
how many CMs have resigned after brutal killings of MANY in karachi? anyone?
@nightWish because small mind start targeting CM of Punjab for things which he have nothing to do with. Security is the responsibility of GOVT. OF KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA
@NightWish: And mega minds like you will start blaming Ex CJ, ECP , Punjab Govt. Who else should be blamed other than CM KPK who hasn't visited Peshawar too.
This is the first major attack in Peshawar since a very long time.I feel very sorry for the innocent lives lost in the blast and hope the injured will get well soon. CM KPK should compensate the victims and make sure they receive proper treatment. Apart from that he should restructure the deployment of police officers and conduct search operations to catch other terrorists hiding elsewhere. Attacks like these will happen but the main thing is to handle the situation properly once it happens and make plans to prevent such attack in future.
I will tell you on Friday who is involved in it.
But DJ, don't stop the music!
small mind will start targeting CM KPK .....
Sad news @Only if Is it necessary to score politically before saying a word for misery on people ??
Should CM KPK not resign for deteriorating security in his province ?
Is this naya PAKistan ?
Job of IK's brothers.