Motorbike bomb kills two security men in Peshawar

Published November 21, 2014
A view of a motorcycle mangled due to the explosion. - DawnNews screengrab
A view of a motorcycle mangled due to the explosion. - DawnNews screengrab

PESHAWAR: A bomb targeting a security forces' vehicle killed two and wounded as many on Warsak Road in Peshawar's Mathra Bazaar area on Friday.

The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan Jamaatul Ahrar, which split from the main Pakistani Taliban in September, claimed responsibility for the attack.

“A remote controlled bomb planted on a motorbike went off as an army vehicle passed by it, killing one soldier and wounding another who later succumbed to his injuries,” a senior security official told news agency AFP.

A local police official also confirmed the incident and casualties.

SP (Rural) Shakir Bangash told Dawn that the bomb was remotely detonated as a security forces' pick-up truck passed by it. He added that four to five kilograms of explosive material was used in the blast.

Jamaatul Ahrar claims responsibility

In a telephone call to AFP, Ehsan Ullah Ehsan, spokesman of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan Jamaatul Ahrar said the attack was revenge of one of their members who was killed in an operation by the army.

“We will continue to target the Pakistani military in the future,” he said.

Peshawar is the gateway to Pakistani tribal areas which are known to be strongholds of Taliban and Al Qaeda linked militants.

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

The military has been battling extremist militant groups in the northwest and the semi-autonomous tribal belt since 2004, after it entered the tribal region to search for Al Qaeda fighters who had fled across the border following the US-led invasion of Afghanistan.

In June the army began a major offensive against militant hideouts in the North Waziristan tribal agency, a stronghold for the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...