At least 18 people were killed and several others wounded in an explosion in a commuters' van on Hangu-Kohat Road on Monday. Talking to journalists, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) Kohat Masood Afridi confirmed the occurrence of the incident on Hangu-Kohat Road near Jozara, border area of Hangu and Kohat district, in a passenger van coming from Hangu (to Kohat), resulting in death of 18 persons instantly and injuring several others.
He said that investigation to ascertain the nature of the explosion was underway. However, he said, apparently it was a cylinder blast as evidence of suicide attack or bomb blast was not found at the place of explosion. District Police Officer (DPO) Hangu, Abdur Rashid, said that a gas cylinder had exploded in a van when it was struck by another van from rear. The passengers of the other van were also injured. The injured were rushed to nearby hospital. Security forces soon after the incident cordoned off the area and started rescue operations.
Those killed in the incident were Nasir Khan son of Khan Muhammad, Kamil Shah residents of Hangu, Gul Maan Shah son of Lal Badshah resident of Orakzai Agency, Badshah Mir son of Akhtar Gul resident of Kurram Agency, Zulfiqar Ali son of Dalayar Ali resident of Hangu, Hazrat Noor son of Jan Muhammad resident of Afghanistan, Iqrar Ali son Syed Shah Jehan and Muhammad Ghani son of Fazal Manan resident of Hangu. Identity of other victims could not be ascertained immediately as their bodies were not identifiable due to severe burns.
The injured were identified as Hazrat Noor, Kamran, Janan, Tahir Muhammad, Raqeeb Khan, Zaman Khan, Muhammad Razak, Tala Muhammad, Inamullha Khan and Muhammad Tafil. Police said a 'flying coach' collided with the ill-fated van. This had caused the huge explosion. The condition of several injured persons was stated critical and doctors on leave had been called for duty.