Suicide bomber kills 24 in Pakistan
5 May 2012 2:44 PM GMT
Twenty-four were killed and 60 wounded when a suicide bomber walked into a market and triggered a massive explosion in Pakistan's northwest, a media report said. The attacker targeted security forces conducting checks at Khar Bazaar in Bajaur Agency, part of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, the report said.
Panic spread in the area after the deafening blast led to the collapse of several shops. A senior official said it was a suicide attack and four policemen were among the dead. The bomber was on foot and detonated his explosive vest when he reached close to a police check post, sources added.
Reports said that curfew had been imposed in the area.
The attack took place just two days after 2 May, a day which marked a year after al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden was gunned down by US special forces in Abbottabad town.
Terror group Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the attack. 'It is stated with pleasure that Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan accept with courage the responsibility of martyr attack in Khar, Bajaur Agency,' the group said in its statement.
Ihsanullah Ihsan, the TTP spokesperson said in his statement said that the attack was targeted at Quarter Master Fazal Rabi and Major Javid. 'Fazal Rabi received the Presidential Award by sacrificing many Talibans. Major Javid was involved in killing Shaikh Marwan.'
The group also threatened to 'treat with iron hands' those who were 'involved in any type of activity against Taliban.
Panic spread in the area after the deafening blast led to the collapse of several shops. A senior official said it was a suicide attack and four policemen were among the dead. The bomber was on foot and detonated his explosive vest when he reached close to a police check post, sources added.
Reports said that curfew had been imposed in the area.
The attack took place just two days after 2 May, a day which marked a year after al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden was gunned down by US special forces in Abbottabad town.
Terror group Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the attack. 'It is stated with pleasure that Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan accept with courage the responsibility of martyr attack in Khar, Bajaur Agency,' the group said in its statement.
Ihsanullah Ihsan, the TTP spokesperson said in his statement said that the attack was targeted at Quarter Master Fazal Rabi and Major Javid. 'Fazal Rabi received the Presidential Award by sacrificing many Talibans. Major Javid was involved in killing Shaikh Marwan.'
The group also threatened to 'treat with iron hands' those who were 'involved in any type of activity against Taliban.
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