PARACHINAR: Seven suspects were arrested on Sunday in connection with the deadly bomb blast that ripped through the vegetable market the previous day.

Meanwhile, the chief of the army staff visited the injured and praised tribal people for their support for efforts aimed at combating terrorism.

Assistant Political Agent Shahid Ali Khan told the media that seven suspects were arrested in Parachinar and they were now being interrogated. He did not disclose identity of the arrested people.

The powerful bomb blast in Parachinar’s Sabzi Mandi on Saturday morning left 25 people dead and 87 injured.

The critically wounded people were referred to the Combined Military Hospital in Peshawar.

Doctors in Parachinar said that 33 injured were still under treatment at a government-run hospital in town.

Officials said that an improvised explosive device (IED) hidden in a vegetable box was detonated by remote control.

However, one of the two militant outfits which have claimed responsibility for the attack said that it was a suicide attack.

A spokesperson for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan has released the picture of apparently a teenager, identified as Saifullah, who he claimed had carried out the attack.

The assistant political agent said the limbs of an unidentified person were found at the blast site. He said they had been sent for DNA testing. A team of forensic experts also arrived from Kohat and visited the scene of the blast.

He said nuts and bolts were also collected from the blast site.

The officials said that 12 kilograms of explosives were used in the IED.

The terror-stricken town remained closed on Sunday to protest the killings. Mourning for three days was declared after the blast.

On Sunday, a large number of people gathered at the town’s central mosque to mourn the dead. They arranged Quran Khwani for the deceased. Addressing the people, the elders condemned the incident and termed it a conspiracy to disturb peace in Kurram Agency.

Peshawar Bureau adds: Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa visited Parachinar and Peshawar on Sunday, said the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement issued in Peshawar.

The army chief was given a briefing on the Parachinar blast. Gen Bajwa visited the hospital in Parachinar and met the injured. He also met elders in Parachinar.

The statement said that Gen Bajwa expressed grief on the incident and lauded the support of tribal people in combating terrorism and acknowledged their sacrifices for peace. He said that with the support of tribal people the army and other law enforcement agencies had stabilised the area, adding that terrorists would fail in their bid to derail the peace process.

He lauded efforts of tribal people in maintaining harmony and said it was a source of national integration. He said Pakistan belonged to all people regardless of religious, provincial, tribal, linguistic, ethnic, sectarian or any other discrimination.

On the demand of people, the army chief announced establishment of an army public school in Parachinar.

Later, Gen Bajwa visited the CMH in Peshawar and met injured people who were evacuated by army helicopters and vehicles.

On arrival in Parachinar, the army chief was received by the Commander of Peshawar Corps, Lt Gen Nazir Ahmed Butt.

Meanwhile, according to APP, the local administration has tightened security at bazaars and other commercial places in Bajaur Agency.

An official said that fresh security measures in the agency were being taken in line with the directives issued by the secretariat of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas to thwart any unpleasant incidents.

He said all security agencies had been instructed to ensure foolproof security at public places, especially bazaars and vegetable markets, across the agency.

He said traders and shopkeepers had also been advised to remain vigilant.

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2017