The wave of bombings has snatched the busy bazaars of Peshawar of their traditional hustle and bustle and they are wearing a deserted look in the wake of the devastated explosions. The government officials and agencies are attributing the renewed series of terrorist acts with the launching of military operation against local and foreign militants in South Waziristan.
The blasts have claimed about 100 lives and rendered over 200 maimed. The new series of the subversive activities have been started with a car blast on Fakhar-e-Alam Road claimed 20 lives followed by a devastated car bomb at Sue Karno Square at busy Khyber Bazaar and attack on CIA Police station on Bara Road. The Khyber Bazaar blast took 50 and CIA Police explosion 15 lives respectively.
The explosions are affecting the people of city psychologically, and majority of the people is hesitant to visit busy shopping centres and public places and prefer to remain in door. Two weeks have been passed since the deadly bomb blast in Khyber Bazaar, but the area is yet to revive its traditional rush of the people. Not only the traders of the bazaar rather commoners passing through the bazaar also looking concerned. The area, which was known for vendors creating hurdles for the pedestrians, are now opened as few have returned to their traditional spots.
The branches of the commercial banks situated on both sides of the road are still facing shortage of the staff while the depositors and account holders are also avoiding visit to them. A branch of the provincial public sector Bank of Khyber speaks the volume of the fears of the employees. "Since the October 9 car bomb blast both our staffers and depositors are avoiding visit to our branch," confirmed an official on condition of anonymity. The situation of other branches in the area presents the same picture where arms yielding security guards allow the entry of visitors after body search through frisking machines.
The situation is badly affecting the business activities and sale of all shopkeepers has been declined manifold. The salesmen of big stores in the busy shopping malls are waiting for the shoppers.