Four policemen among eight killed in Pakistan suicide attack

Four policemen were among 10 persons killed Friday when a suicide bomber attacked office of the regional police officer of Mardan, a town in troubled North West Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan, while injured 24 others.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) Syed Akhtar Ali, who was apparently target of the attack, remained unhurt. According to eyewitnesses, the attacker was trying to enter the office of the DIG, who was about to leave the office at about 1:32 p.m. (local time).

The guards of the DIG and other officials tried to stop the bomber on which he blew himself up, killing four of the policemen and four civilians. The pilot vehicle of the convoy of the DIG was destroyed in the blast.

The witnesses said the bomber, who was on foot, attacked the first vehicle in the convoy when it emerged from the official residence of the DIG, which also houses his office.

Just hours before the incident, Akhtar Ali Shah was in the office of District Police Officer (DPO) Muhammad Iqbal Khan, where he was briefing the local media about recovery of two children kidnapped from a local school a week ago.

The DPO later told media that four policemen and four civilians were killed in the attack. He said that at least 24 persons, including four police constables, sustained injuries. Four of the injured, including two constables, were stated to be in a critical condition.

Akhtar Ali Shah also spoke briefly to the reporters after the incident and said that he didn’t see the attacker but heard a huge explosion at the main gate moments after he got into his vehicle. Expressing his resolve to curb crimes in the division, he admitted he was the target.

No group or individual claimed responsibility for the attack till filing of this report.

Earlier, reports said eight persons, including four policemen, were killed when a suicide bomber struck a police convoy on Friday in Mardan and 15 others were injured.

Interestingly, a special security force being raised for security of the VVIPs in the red zone of Islamabad is currently being trained by the US experts at Mardan, where the suicide bomber struck on Friday.