- Blast occurred in Board Bazaar on Nasir Bagh Road, one suspect also injured in incident
PESHAWAR: Two alleged terrorists were killed on Sunday and another injured when explosives they were transporting detonated prematurely in Board Bazar on Nasir Bagh Road.
The police confirmed the blast and killing of the suspected terrorists, saying they were transporting explosives on a motorcycle when it went off, killing them on the spot.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Kashif Aftab Abbasi said that they were carrying 4 to 5 kilograms explosives, elaborating that no evidence of suicide attack was found.
The SSP while speaking to the media, said the three suspects were riding a motorcycle which was carrying four to five kilogrammes of explosives when the blast occurred.
The police official added that it would be too early to determine the intended target as the investigation is ongoing.
According to the police, the injured and the bodies were shifted to a hospital and a heavy police contingent reached the scene of the incident and commenced a search operation.
The bomb disposal unit’s report clarified that the explosion was not a suicide explosion but a premature detonation during the transfer of explosives.
The investigation team said no civilian casualties were reported. The motorcycle-riding terrorists became unintended casualties of their explosive material and the detonation occurred before reaching their intended target.
Rescue 1122 staff reached the site soon after the blast and removed the dead and the injured to Khyber Teaching Hospital.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM Ali Amin Gandapur condemned the blast and sought a report from IG Police. PM Shehbaz Sharif and Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq also strongly condemned the terrorist attack.
“We are thankful to Allah Almighty that we were saved from a great loss,” remarked the premier while expressing gratitude for the swift and effective response of the Peshawar police.
The PM further emphasised the unwavering commitment of the police and security forces, characterising them as a steadfast barrier against terrorism.
PM Shehbaz also affirmed the collective determination to eliminate terrorism in the country.
Motorcyclists shoot police constable dead
Meanwhile, a police constable was killed when some motorcyclists fired a volley of gunfire on him while standing at a picket near Miani town of Sargodha on Sunday.
Police said that the cops chased the assailants and when they encircled them, the latter resorted to indiscriminate firing.
The cross-fire ensured the siege and as a result, the police added, one of the assailants was killed while the other was wounded and was arrested.
The deceased belonged to Mandi Bahauddin, and was nominated in over five criminal cases of heinous nature.
DSP Chaudhry Fayyaz told the media that search operation was underway for the arrest of their two accomplices who managed to flee from the spot.
