PESHAWAR, June 2: Additional Inspector General of Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Shafqat Malik, said on Thursday that provincial BDS officials had diffused 317 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the current year and foiled 25 per cent of terror acts in the province.

Briefing media persons here, Mr Malik said that 20 per cent of terror attempts were foiled in the provincial capital by diffusing bombs, suicide jackets, fuses and other explosive material.

He said that the BDS diffused five suicide jackets, two vehicle-borne IEDs, 63 timed devices, 25 remote-controlled IEDs, 105 grenade IEDs and 114 rocket IEDs.

He said that two BDS officials were killed while diffusing explosive material in the current year and eight last year.

Answering a question, the AIG said that explosives laden in 15 vehicles were diffused in 2010 while two trucks laden with 250kg to 350kg explosives each were diffused this year in Bannu and Hangu.

He said that mostly mini trucks and double cabin vehicles were used in the terrorism attempts. He said that the officials had frustrated several terror plots in the province by putting their lives in danger.

Mr Malik said that the bomb disposal units were set up in all districts of the province and the staff remained alert round the clock to cope with any emergency situation given the fragile security situation.

He said that the BDS staff would be available within 15 minutes after receiving a call or information about blasts or IEDs.

Unfortunately, terrorists have focused on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he said, adding that the law-enforcement agencies were fully alert to defeat such anti-state elements and protect precious human lives.

Mr Malik said that special trainings were regularly arranged for the staff. He said that he and other BDS staff members were also injured in separate incidents. — APP