One dead in twin bomb attack on Pakistan capital

Published May 24, 2014
Pakistani police officials inspect the site of a bomb explosion in Islamabad on May 24, 2014. — Photo by AFP
Pakistani police officials inspect the site of a bomb explosion in Islamabad on May 24, 2014. — Photo by AFP

ISLAMABAD: Two bomb explosions rocked Pakistan's capital Islamabad early Saturday, killing one security guard and wounding another, police said, following several days of military strikes targeting insurgents.

The first blast occurred around 2:00 am (2100 GMT) in an upmarket shopping area close to the city centre.

“One watchman has died in the hospital, he was very critically wounded and did not survive. The second watchman is getting medical treatment,” said Chaudhry Hafiz Hussain, a senior police official.

He said it was not clear if the blast was the result of a suicide bomb.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility but the blasts came after three days of air strikes by the Pakistani military against militant hideouts that have killed at least 75 people.

Local television footage of the first blast showed broken glass and branches strewn across the pavement.

Mohammad Ali, another police official, told reporters that the second bomb went off in a car.

“The low-intensity explosive was planted in a car. The blast has badly damaged the car but no one was hurt,” he said.

The second blast came around half an hour after the first and was in a different part of the capital.

The attacks were the first in Islamabad since an explosion tore through a fruit and vegetable market in April, killing at least 22 people.

The latest blasts came after more than three months of stop-start peace talks between the government and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which have made little progress since they began in February.

A month-long ceasefire between Pakistan and the Taliban, who have waged a seven-year insurgency, expired last month.

Opinion

Editorial

Counterterrorism plan
Updated 23 Nov, 2024

Counterterrorism plan

Lacunae in our counterterrorism efforts need to be plugged quickly.
Bullish stock market
23 Nov, 2024

Bullish stock market

NORMALLY, stock markets rise gradually. In recent months, however, Pakistan’s stock market has soared to one ...
Political misstep
23 Nov, 2024

Political misstep

FORMER first lady Bushra Bibi’s video address to PTI followers has triggered a firestorm. Her assertion implying...
Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

An audit of polio funds at federal and provincial levels is sorely needed, with obstacles hindering eradication efforts targeted.
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...