PESHAWAR: The death toll from a suicide bomb attack targeting police in Peshawar earlier on Friday has now risen to 11, hospital officials said.

Jamil Shah, a spokesman for the Lady Reading Hospital in the provincial capital, confirmed that two more people had succumbed to their wounds while being treated for injuries from the powerful explosion that struck Sarband, an area in the suburbs of Peshawar.

The victims included women, children and policemen. At least 45 others were injured from the attack, the latest violence to hit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

DSP (city) Banaras Khan said the blast appeared to have targeted a police mobile van and was carried out by a suicide bomber.

SP Cantt Faisal Kamran said that due to the sensitive nature of the area, which is situated on the border of the tribal areas, police personnel were using armoured personnel carriers (APC) to conduct routine patrolling when they were targeted by the suicide bomber who was on foot.

The victims were shifted to the Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) where an emergency was imposed. Casualties were also shifted to the Hayatabad Medical complex.


Also read: Blast kills 10, injures 35 in Quetta


Six bodies were received at the LRH while three were received at the Hayatababad Medical Complex.

Security personnel cordoned off the area as a probe into the incident went underway.

According to Shafqat Malik, AIG of the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS), at least eight kilograms of explosives were used in the blast.

According to foreign news agency Reuters, Taliban splinter group Ahrarul Hind claimed responsibility for the attack. “We claim both Peshawar and Quetta attacks,” Reuters quoted their chief Umar Qasmi as saying. “We don't abide by these talks and will continue to stage attacks.”

The leadership of militant group Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which the Pakistani government has engaged in peace talks to end a seven-year insurgency, immediately distanced itself from the Friday attacks.

Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, lies on the edge of Pakistan's tribal areas which have been labelled by Washington as the main sanctuary for Al Qaeda and Taliban militants in the country.

The city has seen frequent attacks by militants in the past few years, with targets ranging from civilians to policemen and other law enforcement personnel.

Opinion

Editorial

United stance
Updated 13 Nov, 2024

United stance

It would've been better if the OIC-Arab League summit had announced practical measures to punish Israel.
Unscheduled visit
13 Nov, 2024

Unscheduled visit

Unusual IMF visit shows the lender will closely watch implementation of programme goals to prevent it from derailing.
Bara’s businesswomen
13 Nov, 2024

Bara’s businesswomen

Bara’s brave women have proven that with the right support, societal barriers can be overcome.
System failure
Updated 12 Nov, 2024

System failure

Relevant institutions often treat right to internet connectivity with the same disdain as they do civil and political rights.
Narrowing the gap
12 Nov, 2024

Narrowing the gap

PERHAPS a pat on the back is in order for the ECP. Together with Nadra, it has made visible efforts to reduce...
Back on their feet
12 Nov, 2024

Back on their feet

A STIRRING comeback in the series has ended Pakistan’s 22-year wait for victory against world champions Australia....