News
Sunday, March 14, 2010
17 killed in suicide bombing at Mingora checkpost* Two policemen, army jawan among the dead
* TTP claims responsibility, vows more attacks if drone strikes continueBy Ghulam Farooq
MINGORA: At least 17 people were killed in a suicide attack at a checkpoint manned by police and military personnel in Mingora on Saturday, police and eyewitnesses said.
“Around 17 people, including two policemen and an army jawan, were killed in the suicide attack,” Swat District Police Officer (DCO) Ghulam Farooq told Daily Times. More than 60 people were injured in the attack.
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the attack and has warned that similar attacks would be launched if US drone strikes continued in Waziristan. “We will continue carrying out such strikes in the future,” TTP spokesman Azam Tariq told BBC Urdu.
The bomber was driving a rickshaw at a busy juncture connecting Mingora with Saidu Sharif and, according to eyewitnesses, he was either trying to reach the judicial complex or the Circuit House, “which would have resulted in a higher number of casualties”.
“He got off a rickshaw. First, he walked in the direction of a walkthrough scanning gate, but suddenly moved towards the joint police and army checkpost,” eyewitnesses said.
“The bomber was trying to reach the judicial complex or Circuit House to target top civil and military officials or kill as many lawyers or civilians in the early morning rush as possible,” the DPO said.
President Zardari, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer and the US embassy have condemned the attack, APP reported.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk