Blast was a revenge for the hanging of Mumtaz Qadri who was executed last week: Jammat-ur-Ahrar
SHABQADAR – At least 13 people, including three policemen, were killed and more than 20 others wounded in a suicide blast in Charsadda tehsil of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK).
A suicide bomber blew him up after security officials stopped him at entrance of the local court. The explosion destroyed several shops and vehicles caught fire.
Eyewitnesses described a huge explosion at the scene. “We were sitting with a lawyer when a huge explosion took place in the session’s court,” said Gohar Khan, a local police official.
‘The army and other law-enforcement agencies have arrived and cordoned off the area. The injured are being shifted to nearby hospitals,’ he added.
The Pakistani Taliban’s Jamaat-ur-Ahrar faction claimed responsibility for the attack in the town, about 150 km (90 miles) northwest of the capital, Islamabad, saying that it was carried out to avenge the hanging of Mumtaz Qadri, killer of Salman Taseer.
Qadri was hanged last Tuesday at a Rawalpindi jail after his appeal against the conviction was rejected by the Supreme Court.
‘The PM has extended his heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and prayed to Allah Almighty for grant of courage to them for bearing the irreparable losses,’ a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s office.