TTP Jamaatul Ahrar releases details of alleged Wagah suicide bomber

Published November 13, 2014
Photo from Nov 2, 2014 shows volunteers transporting the body of a blast victim after the suicide bomb attack near Wagah border.—AFP
Photo from Nov 2, 2014 shows volunteers transporting the body of a blast victim after the suicide bomb attack near Wagah border.—AFP

PESHAWAR: The outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan Jamaatul Ahrar has released details of a man they claim carried out a deadly suicide bombing at the main Pakistan-India border crossing last week.

A spokesman for the militant group, Ehsanullah Ehsan, told Dawn.com on Thursday that 25-year-old Hanifullah alias Hamza carried out the attack that killed 60 people returning from the ‘flag-lowering’ ceremony at the Wagah border gate, a display of military pageantry which attracts thousands of spectators and tourists every day.

The militants also released a photo of the alleged bomber.

Photo of the alleged suicide bomber.
Photo of the alleged suicide bomber.

Sources told Dawn.com that Hanifullah belonged to a bordering town in Mohmand tribal agency.

Ehsan further claimed that the banned outfit will also release a video of the attack, which they claimed to have carried out in retaliation to a military operation against Taliban militants and tribesmen in the remote Fata region bordering Afghanistan.

Also read: TTP splinter groups claim Wagah attack

The devastating attack at the entrance of the Wagah border parade venue killed 60 people, including 10 women and seven children, and left more than 110 injured.

The young suicide bomber blew himself up at the entrance of the parade complex soon after the completion of the flag-lowering ceremony last Sunday. Three officers of the Punjab Rangers and seven members of a family were among the dead, in the explosion which was so loud that the bang was heard some 10 kilometres from the border.

Officials and witnesses said the damage could have been greater if the attacker had managed to penetrate into the main ceremony area.

The ceremony draws large crowds daily, but the numbers soar on weekends where, according to estimates by Rangers, up to 8,000 people are present to witness the flag-lowering.

Related: Modi assails ‘shocking’ Wagah bombing

The choice of the target raised fresh fears about attempts to create greater friction between Pakistan and India.

Tensions between the two neighbours have increased in recent weeks amid a series of cross-border firing incidents. Islamabad has accused the Narendra Modi government of indulging in military adventurism, whereas New Delhi has maintained that it was Pakistan which was responsible for the escalation.

Opinion

Editorial

Lingering concerns
19 Sep, 2024

Lingering concerns

Embarrassed after failing to muster numbers during the high-stakes drama that played out all weekend, the govt will need time to regroup.
Pager explosions
19 Sep, 2024

Pager explosions

LEBANON was rocked by a shocking and sophisticated attack on Sunday in which hundreds of pagers exploded, causing at...
Losing to China
19 Sep, 2024

Losing to China

AT a time when they should have stepped up, a sense of complacency seemed to have descended on the Pakistan hockey...
Parliament’s place
Updated 17 Sep, 2024

Parliament’s place

Efforts to restore parliament’s sanctity must rise above all political differences and legislative activities must be open to scrutiny and debate.
Afghan policy flux
Updated 18 Sep, 2024

Afghan policy flux

A fresh approach is needed, where Pakistan’s security is prioritised and decision taken to improve ties. Afghan Taliban also need to respond in kind.
HIV/AIDS outbreak
17 Sep, 2024

HIV/AIDS outbreak

MULTIPLE factors — the government’s inability to put its people first, a rickety health infrastructure, and...