Two police officials killed, five injured in Peshawar blast

TTP claims responsibility for the attack

PESHAWAR: A blast in Peshawar's Hayatabad area Thursday left two police officials dead while five others were injured.

The outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack on the police officers.

"The TSG targeted the vehicle of Deputy Commandant Frontier Reserve Police (FRP), Malik Tariq, in Hayatabad," the TTP spokesperson, Muhammad Khorasani said.

PHOTO: MUHAMMAD IQBAL/EXPRESS

Senior Superintendent of Police Mian Saeed, while speaking to The Express Tribune confirmed that the convoy of Deputy Commandant Frontier Reserve Police (FRP), Malik Tariq, came under a targeted attack in Hayatabad's Phase 5 area and he had sustained injuries.

Further, the vehicle was badly damaged and two civilians were also injured as a result of the blast.

PHOTO: MUHAMMAD IQBAL/EXPRESS

Bomb Disposal Unit Chief Shafqat Malik confirmed to The Express Tribune that it was a suicide attack and body parts of the attackers had been found at the scene. He added that the assailant was riding a bike and his target was the deputy commandant.

PHOTO: MUHAMMAD IQBAL/EXPRESS

Read: Seven injured as blast targets Police vehicle in Peshawar

A motorcycle and a bomb was used to conduct the attack, Khorasani confirmed in a statement adding that the ruling Pakistan Muslim Leage-Nawaz leaders would be a special target.

"The TTP has adopted a strategy to launch attacks on the people on the hit-list. We will hit all those who are opposed to the enforcement of Islamic Sharia system," he concluded.

PHOTO: MUHAMMAD IQBAL/EXPRESS

All the five injured have been shifted to Hayatabad Medical Complex, a Rescue 1122 official confirmed.

Police and security forces arrived at the scene and have cordoned off the area, as investigation commenced.

PHOTO: AFP

In a separate incident, a blast was heard in Phase 6 of the same area. No injuries have been reported thus far and rescue teams have arrived at the scene.

PHOTO: MUHAMMAD IQBAL/EXPRESS

PM condemns attack

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack on the senior official, according to Radio Pakistan.

He expressed grief over the loss of lives and has sought a report on the incident. Authorities were also directed to apprehend the assailants at the earliest.