Terrorists using a car bomb and firing weapons attacked the US consulate here on Monday hours after a suicide bomber struck a rally killing 46 people in Timergarah, officials said. Terrorists once gain unleashed terror by carrying back-to-back explosions targeting high security zone in Peshawar cantonment and Timergarah, district Lower Dir of Malakand Division.
58 killed in attacks on consulate in Peshawar, ANP rally in Lower Dir hours before Parliament's joint sitting in Islamabad Over 58 people including some security personnel were among the dead. In Timergarah, more than 46 people were killed and dozens injured when a power blast ripped the rally of Awami National Party (ANP). The blast occurred at ANP public rally being taken out as thanksgiving, to celebrate the renaming of the province as Khyber-Pakhtoonkhawa.
The blasts occurred within 15 minutes at Hayat Avenue. The US consulate is also located in the same area. The blast partially damaged the boundary wall of the consulate. The blast also shattered the windowpanes of buildings in the surrounding area and was so powerful that it was heard several kilometers away creating harassment among the people.
The blasts followed a fierce gunbattle between security forces and terrorists. According to official sources, terrorists arrived in two different vehicles. First an explosion was carried out which followed the exchange of fire. Four terrorists were killed while two security personnel were martyred. The injured were shifted to Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) where a state of emergency was also declared.
After the explosion, security forces cordoned off the area and the main Khyber Road and other link roads connecting Peshawar City. Cantonment, University Town and Hayatabad were also closed for vehicular traffic. Medical Superintendent of District Hospital Timergarah Doctor Wakil said at least 35 bodies and over 100 injured were brought to the hospital. Some of the seriously injured were also shifted to Peshawar.
Talking to media, Senior Minister Bashir Ahmad Bilour strongly condemned the terrorist strikes saying that elements involved in such heinous crimes are neither Muslims nor humans. The minister confirmed that a police personnel embraced martyrdom in the gunbattle with the terrorists. He said four dead bodies of terrorists were also lying on the site. He reiterated the stand of the government to continue war against the terrorism.
The Governor of NWFP, Owais Ahmed Ghani strongly condemned bomb attacks in Peshawar and Timergarah. He expressed his deep shock and sorrow over the loss of precious lives. The governor described the suicide attack a highly cowardly and inhuman act of terrorism.
Owais appreciated the courageous role and selfless spirit of security force personnel towards fulfilment of their professional responsibilities, saying the nation feels proud of our courageous sons who are protecting the lives and properties of people at the cost of their lives.
The governor said the incidents itself speak of the barbaric and retrogressive mindset of the miscreants involved in such inhuman acts of extremism. Terrorists are on the run and killing innocent people in frustration. Expressing his heartfelt sympathies with members of the bereaved families, the governor assured the victims that the elements involved in heinous crimes will would be brought to court of law soon. He asked people to cooperate with the law enforcement agencies and ensure lasting peace in the area.
Minister for Information, Transport and Inter Provincial Co-ordination Mian Iftikhar Hussain also condemned the explosions and expressed his profound grief over the loss of precious lives. The minister said the attack on the rally of his party in Lower Dir was highly condemnable.