CHRSADDA: Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) chief Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao survived a suicide attack near his motorcade on Thursday. However, a policeman lost his life in the bombing.

DPO Shafiullah Khan told newsmen that Mr Sherpao was returning to Peshawar from a rally in Umerzai. When his motorcade reached near School Korona in Turanzai, a man appeared from nearby fields and started firing with a pistol on Mr Sherpao’s vehicle. Personnel of the Quick Response Squad escorting the cavalcade returned fire, he said. The man tried to flee and blew himself up when police chased him. Head constable Ashraf was killed and policemen Faizul Islam, Hakeemullah, Shakil and Mukhtar were injured.

Two grenades and explosives were found at the blast site.

QWP Information Secretary Tariq Khan told Dawn that some bullets had hit Mr Sherpao’s bullet-proof vehicle.

QWP provincial chief Sikandar Sherpao, who accompanied Mr Sherpao, said it was the fifth attempt on his father’s life.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2015

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