KURRAM: At least 17 people were wounded when a bomb ripped through a busy market in Parachinar, the headquarters of Kurram tri­bal district, on Thursday, po­­lice and hospital sources said.

Deputy Medical Superin­tendent Dr Qaiser Abbas said that 17 wounded persons, including a child and a woman, were brought to the district headquarters hospital. He said that one critically wounded person was referred to Peshawar.

Deputy Superintendent Police (DSP) Najaf Ali said that the explosive device was fitted inside a handcart loaded with fruits and vegetables, which was parked in Turi market. He said that an improvised explosive device caused the blast. Security forces cordoned off the blast site. The wounded people were shifted to the government-run hospital.

Protesting against the blast, an angry mob clashed with law enforcers. After the blast all markets and business outlets were closed in the town. Later, the protesters proceeded towards the press club where they staged a sit-in camp.

Addressing the protesters, social activist Zahid Hussain criticised what he called the inefficiency of law enforcement agencies and said the administration had failed to arrest the culprits behind attacks in the area. He said the residents of Parachinar were fed up with blasts. “This is the government’s responsibility to provide security to citizens,” he said.

It was the third bomb blast to have occurred in Kurram tribal district since May. A blast had occurred at an Imambargah in the Shorko area on May 5, which killed its caretaker. Another blast took place in Parachinar’s Labour Chowk on June 22 in which three people were injured.

The town relatively remained peaceful after devastating twin blasts on June 27 in which 75 people were killed and over 200 wounded.

Deputy Commissioner Shah Fahed said investigations would be conducted into the blast and culprits would be brought to justice.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2020