12 killed as explosives-laden car rams into police post

Source: Business recorder

RECORDER REPORT PESHAWAR (November 15 2009): At least 12 people including police personnel and two children and women were killed and 30 others were injured in a car blast near Peshtakhara Police Station security check post on Bara Road on Saturday. According to police officials and eye-witnesses, when a motorcar was stopped by police personnel at the check post on suspicion of being explosive laden, it exploded with a big bang killing 12 persons and leaving 30 others injured.

The injured persons and the bodies of the dead were rushed to Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) where state of emergency was declared. Peshawar DCO Mohammad Anis confirmed killing of 5 persons in the incident, but later Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Liaquat Ali Khan said the death toll was 10. By stopping the car by the police, he said, Peshawar city was saved from destruction.

He said that security equipment's have been purchased for bringing improvement in the security system. Officials of the bomb disposal squad confirmed use of 50 to 60 kg explosive material in the blast. Peshtakhara is a suburb of Peshawar bordering the tribal area of Khyber Agency. The police after the incident cordoned off the area and collected forensic samples from the site.

NWFP Governor Owais Ahmad Ghani and Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti condemned the suicide car-bombing incident at the police check post on Bara Road and termed it a cowardly act of terrorism. Provincial Minister Bashir Ahmad Bilour visited Lady Reading Hospital and inquired about treatment of the injured persons.

Talking to media, he ruled out negotiations with terrorists, and said that they have the stains of the blood of innocent people on their hands. NWFP Minister for Information Iftikhar Hussein condemned the explosion and said that the operation against terrorists would continue till complete elimination of the menace of terrorism.