RAWALPINDI, Dec 31 Nearly 109 people, including 16 children, personnel of armed forces and law-enforcement agencies, were killed and more than 190 injured in terrorist attacks in Rawalpindi during 2009.

Military was the main target of the attacks, including GHQ in which 16 persons, including six army personnel, were killed and 23 others injured.

The figures collected from security sources revealed that 13 terrorists, including nine militants wearing military uniforms who attacked the GHQ on October 10, were also killed in the attack.

However, Aqeel Alias Dr Usman leading the terrorists was arrested alive by the security forces at the end of the operation. The first suicide attack took place at Pirwadhai Mor in front of a hotel on March 16 in which 12 people were killed while 22 others injured - all of them civilians.

Likewise, a suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden motorbike into a bus carrying employees of Kahuta Research Laboratories (KRL) at Choor Chowk on the Peshawar Road on July 2, injuring 26 people. The bomber was also killed in the attack.

At least seven persons, including four police personnel were injured, when an explosive device planted close to a police checkpoint exploded on the Misryial Road in Westridge area on August 21.

Fifth terrorist attack took place in a parking area behind four-star Shalimar Hotel located off The Mall, killing 36 people and injuring 52 others. The area's security is controlled jointly by the military and police.

Most of those killed in the attack were queuing outside a bank to deposit their utility bills and withdraw pensions.

When contacted, City Police Officer Rao Muhammad Iqbal said the police had traced a terrorist group which attacked the KRL bus at Choor Chowk. He said “The group was from Central Punjab. And, it was traced from the motorcycle which was used in the attack.”

He said the terrorists, who had attacked Shalimar Hotel, had also been traced and they belonged to Haripur Hazara.