KP issues preliminary report on Dera Ismail Khan bombing

Published October 18, 2013
Policemen examine the site of a suicide bomb attack in Dera Ismail Khan, Oct 16, 2013. — Photo by AFP
Policemen examine the site of a suicide bomb attack in Dera Ismail Khan, Oct 16, 2013. — Photo by AFP
Policemen examine the site of a suicide bomb attack in Dera Ismail Khan, Oct 16, 2013. — Photo by AFP
Policemen examine the site of a suicide bomb attack in Dera Ismail Khan, Oct 16, 2013. — Photo by AFP

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's home department on Friday released the initial report on the Dera Ismail Khan suicide bombing that claimed the life of provincial law minister Israrullah Gandapur on Wednesday, DawnNews reported.

Seven others were killed and over 30 people were wounded in the bombing that took place outside Gandapur’s residence in D I Khan’s tehsil Kullachi. Gandapur's elder brother was also wounded in the attack.

The report said the suicide attacker blew himself up as soon as he embraced the minister on the occasion of Eidul Azha.

It added that the bomber was a local, wore a turban and had also spoken with the minister in a regional language before carrying out the attack.

His age was between 20 to 22 years, the report said.

Gandapur was a member of the ruling party in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI), a party led by former cricketer Imran Khan which favours peace talks with the Pakistani Taliban.

He is the most senior member of the party to have been killed so far.

Following Gandapur’s killing, the KP cabinet in a special meeting on Thursday approved the establishment of an anti-terrorism task force to be led by the Inspector General of Police.

The force is to comprise of members of all law enforcement and intelligence agencies including army, Frontier Corps and Frontier Constabulary.

The cabinet also demanded of the centre to return the Frontier Constabulary's platoons back to KP so that they may be deployed at sensitive places for controlling law and order and fighting terrorism.

Opinion

The Dar story continues

The Dar story continues

One wonders what the rationale was for the foreign minister — a highly demanding, full-time job — being assigned various other political responsibilities.

Editorial

Wheat protests
Updated 01 May, 2024

Wheat protests

The government should withdraw from the wheat trade gradually, replacing the existing market support mechanism with an effective new one over the next several years.
Polio drive
01 May, 2024

Polio drive

THE year’s fourth polio drive has kicked off across Pakistan, with the aim to immunise more than 24m children ...
Workers’ struggle
Updated 01 May, 2024

Workers’ struggle

Yet the struggle to secure a living wage — and decent working conditions — for the toiling masses must continue.
All this talk
Updated 30 Apr, 2024

All this talk

The other parties are equally legitimate stakeholders in the country’s political future, and it must give them due consideration.
Monetary policy
30 Apr, 2024

Monetary policy

ALIGNING its decision with the trend in developed economies, the State Bank has acted wisely by holding its key...
Meaningless appointment
30 Apr, 2024

Meaningless appointment

THE PML-N’s policy of ‘family first’ has once again triggered criticism. The party’s latest move in this...