TAXILA: The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) has lodged an FIR against an unknown suicide bomber and his accomplices regarding the suicide attack on Thursday in which three people were killed and more than 15 were injured.

A passenger of the van that was targeted, Saeed Shah told the CTD that his colleagues and he were travelling in the van towards Attock when a young man standing by the road with two other men had opened fire at the vehicle as they were passing Dhok Gama.

The two men he was with fled while the man who opened fire blew himself up when he was near the van, on the driver’s side.

The driver of the van, Akram Niazi and a passerby, Habib Khan died on the spot while 15 people were injured.

CTD officials lodged an FIR based on the information received from Saeed Shah and started investigations.

The Hizb-Ul Ahrar has taken responsibility for the suicide attack, according to the police.

Meanwhile, funeral prayers for Akram Niazi were offered at People’s Colony which was attended by Lt Gen Sarfaraz Sattar, National Development Complex Director General Aleem Arshad and a large number of people.

The body was taken to Mianwali for burial.

Akram is survived by two daughters and a son.

Published in Dawn, May 5th, 2018