Islamabad: At least five people, including an assistant commissioner, were martyred and several others injured on Wednesday as a government vehicle was targeted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Bajaur district. Four injured persons are in critical condition.
Bajaur District Police Officer Waqas Rafique told media that five people, including two policemen and a civilian, were martyred in an explosion targeting the vehicle on Nawagai Road in Siddiqabad railway attack area of Khar tehsil.
'The blast was so intense that the vehicle targeted was completely destroyed,' he said, adding that 11 people were injured in the blast and immediately transported to Khar District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital for treatment.
The DPO said that security was increased in the area and relief activities were underway.
The deceased include Nawagai Assistant Commissioner Faisal Ismail, Tehsildar Abdul Wakil Khan, Subedar Noor Hakim, and police constables Rashid and Zahid. The injured include constables Ayaz, Muhammad Zameen, Saidur Rehman and civilians Waqar Khan, Hayatullah, Umar, Irfan, Abdul Samad, Jameel, Fazal Badshah, Fazal Hakeem, Bilal, Attaullah and Tahir.
Later on the funeral prayers of the martyrs was offered at the Khar Police Lines at Civil Colony. The funeral prayer was attended by Deputy Commissioner Bajaur Shahid Ali, DPO Bajaur Waqas Rafique, commandant bajaur scouts, government officers, heirs of the martyred persons and a large number of people. Later on the dead bodies were sent to the native areas for burial.
KP Health Adviser Ihtisham Ali strongly condemned the blast and expressed grief over the demise of the assistant commissioner and others in the incident. He contacted Khar DHQ's district health officer and the medical superintendent to enquire about the well-being of those injured in the attack.
'An emergency has been imposed in Bajaur hospitals and health department staff have been alerted for first aid,' he said. The health adviser assured the public that medical assistance would be provided to the injured.
KP Inspector General of Police (IG) Zulfiqar Hameed sought a report on the blast from the Malakand regional police officer (RPO). He also ordered to speed up intelligence-based operations against the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) group and directed the Counter-Terrorism Department's additional inspector general of police to send a special team to Bajaur.
'A special branch is obtaining intelligence related to the incident,' Hameed said, adding that according to initial information, the TTP targeted the assistant commissioner's vehicle. Hameed said that teams were formed 'to arrest the elements involved in the incident while all necessary evidence is being collected from the spot', adding that bomb disposal teams were present on site.
Those elements disturbing the country and province's peace will be strictly dealt with, the KP police chief said.
KP government spokesperson Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif strongly condemned the incident and said the loss of lives was regrettable.
'The KP chief minister has issued orders for an enquiry into the incident and to provide medical facilities to the injured,' Saif said.
'Those who are hostile elements to the country will not be allowed to succeed in their nefarious purposes and will be brought to justice.'
KP Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah also condemned the incident. He directed the district administration and health department to remain on full alert, provide immediate medical assistance to the injured and utilise all available resources to deal with the emergency situation.
President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the bomb blast and expressed his grief over the deaths. The president also extended his condolences and sympathies to the victims' families and offered prayers for the deceased.
He said that terrorists were the enemies of humanity who targeted people and reiterated the resolve to take all possible measures to completely eradicate the scourge of terrorism from the country.
Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif condemned the blast near Phatak Mela in Bajaur district. He expressed deep grief over the martyrdom of the Assistant Commissioner, Tehsildar Nawagai, and other officials.
The PM prayed for the elevation of the martyrs' ranks and extended heartfelt condolences to their families. He also prayed for the swift recovery of the injured and directed that they be provided with the best medical care. The prime minister reaffirmed the nation's commitment to eradicating terrorism completely.
National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq also strongly condemned the incident. He expressed deep sorrow and regret over the loss of lives and expressed solidarity with the affected families.
He denounced the targeting of the assistant commissioner's vehicle as a 'cowardly and shameful act', urging that those responsible be brought to justice.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has also strongly condemned the blast in Bajaur. Expressing deep sorrow over the loss of precious lives, he paid tribute to the martyred Assistant Commissioner, Tehsildar Abdul Wakeel, Constable Rasheed, and Noor Hakeem.
The interior minister prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and said the sacrifices of the martyrs would always be remembered.
He assured the bereaved families that the nation shares their grief, adding that the entire country stands united against terrorism.
He emphasized that cowardly acts by terrorists backed by India will never shake the public's resolve.