PESHAWAR/KHAR: A suicide attack in Peshawar and a bomb blast in Khar on Monday killed three security personnel and two civilians.

A policeman and two civilians were killed and five others injured when a suicide bomber in a rickshaw blew himself up at a checkpost on Peshawar’s Ring Road.

According to police, the blast took place in the morning when a large number of people were extinguishing a fire which had engulfed about 80 shops in the area.

SSP (operations) Mohammad Karim Khan told reporters that the bomber wanted to go to the city’s populated area via the Ahmed Jan Colony, but when police stopped the rickshaw and tried to frisk him he detonated the explosives he was carrying.

SSP (coordination) Mohammad Alam Shinwari said the bomber might have planned to attack the Faqirabad police station or traffic police lines which were located near the blast site.

He said the suicide jacket worn by the bomber weighed 5-7 kilograms.

‘We beefed up security after receiving information that suicide bombers could carry out attacks in public places,’ he said.

Shah Nawaz, who was injured in the blast, told reporters that he was going home when he was hit by a shrapnel and fell on the ground.

‘I came to know later that a blast had taken place at the police checkpost,’ he added.

District Coordination Officer Sahibzada Mohammad Anees told reporters that the bomber was about 20 years old and had small beard.

Dr Mukhtiar of the Lady Reading Hospital said those killed in the blast had been identified as constable Waheedullah, rickshaw driver Sattar Khan and property dealer Dilawar Khan. The bomber’s body could not be identified.

Senior provincial minister Basher Ahmed Bilour told reporters that it was not possible to deploy police at every place, but efforts were being made to provide maximum security to people.

He said the provincial government had sent a Rs23 billion package to the federal government for approval. The package, if approved, would be spent on security measures in Peshawar and other districts.

Railways Minister Ghulam Ahmed Bilour said the government was trying to curb terrorist activities but was facing problems because of lack of resources.

KHAR BLAST
The two security personnel were killed when a vehicle carrying Tochi Scouts hit a bomb placed on a road in Mullasaid, some 40km northeast of Khar, the headquarters of Bajaur.

According to an administration official, the vehicle was carrying goods for security forces manning a post recently set up in the area.

Subedar Bakht Badshah and Lace Naek Omar Gul were killed on the spot while soldier Pirzada suffered injuries.

Mullasaid and Banda are strongholds of Taliban who have been attacking security forces and members of the Qaumi Lashkar from tunnels, bunkers and other hideouts.

Meanwhile, two militants were killed in a clash in Mullasaid. Troops destroyed the house of militant commander Sahib Jan in Nakhtar area. Fifteen militants laid down their arms in Loe Mamond.

Security forces arrested 18 suspects in different areas of Khar.