Wednesday, May 7, 2008, Rabi-ul-Sani 30, 1429    

Cops among 4 die in Bannu suicide attack

Tariq Saeed

Peshawar—A deadly suicide blast this time in Bannu City Tuesday morning left at least four people including cops dead and serious injuries to around five others. The military and police sources confirming the incident said a suicide bomber riding an auto rickshaw detonated himself at a check-post in Kot Beli area in Bannu district. According to official sources, NWFP Governor Awais Ghana was due in Bannu from Miranshah North Waziristan agency an hour after the explosion time. The suicide attack occurred near Kot Barara close to Bannu cantonment check post, killing constable Naeem Khan on the spot. Rehan son of Mirzali and Rapyar son of Hussain were critically injured and they later succumbed to wounds in hospital. Other injured were identified as Shadman, ASI Waheed Iqbal, Arshad, Safdar and Sikandar and were shifted to CMH and district headquarters hospital. Independent sources put the death toll at four and serious injuries to half a dozen others. The condition of the injured was stated to be stable.
According to ISPR, a suicide bomber riding a rickshaw blew himself up near police check-post in Kot Bali area of Bannu when the rickshaw was stopped for search. The police sources said the suicide bomber blew himself up at the main gate of a sensitive agency office near new Kurrum Bridge in Kot Beli area of Bannu.
The explosion was so powerful that its bang was heard in five-kilometer radius. Police rushed to site and recovered body parts of the victims including of the bomber believed to a teenager. NWFP Governor Awais Ahmed Ghani enquired after the health of the injured at District Headquarter Hospital Bannu.
The Governor visited the injured ASI Waheed Iqbal and constables Aurangzeb, Irshad Khan and Safdar and apprised himself about the treatment facilities being provided to them. The Governor wished early recovery of the injured. He also appreciated the courage and spirit of the injured police officials.
Chief Minister of NWFP Amir Haider Khan Hoti has condemned suicide attack in Bannu and issued directives for proper medical facilities to the injured. He sympathized with the families of those who embraced Shahadat in the blast.