PESHAWAR, Dec 3: Two policemen were killed and three others injured when their van was hit by a powerful explosive device on the outskirts of the city on Monday.

“Militants planted the explosive device along the road in Shahabkhel area which was detonated by remote control,” SP (Rural Circle) Mohammad Javaid Khan told reporters. He said policemen were on routine patrol when the incident took place.

An official of the bomb disposal unit said the device weighing about 3kg had been packed in a canister, adding ball bearings used in the bomb were found at the site of the blast. The police van was destroyed.

The dead were identified as sub-inspector Tajamul Shah and constable Abrar Khan. The injured constables – Fayaz Khan, Farooq Khan and Habibur Rehman – were taken to the Lady Reading Hospital where one was stated to be in serious condition.

An official of the Badbher police station said a case had been registered against unidentified terrorists. “We have not mentioned the name of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan or Lashkar-i-Islam, but everyone knows who are involved in terrorism,” he said.

Funeral prayer was offered at the Malik Saad Khan Police Lines. It was attended by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Barrister Masood Kausar, Inspector General of Police Mohammad Akbar Khan Hoti and other senior officials.

The governor and Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti condemned the killing of policemen and termed it a cowardly act. They said the government would continue its straggle against terrorism.

ARRESTS: A police spokesman said that 198 people, among them 51 proclaimed offenders, had been detained during raids on suspected places. Six Kalashnikovs, 10 rifles, 84 pistols and thousands of cartridges were seized.