Bombs at Peshawar market, school kill 24

Bombs at Peshawar market, school kill 24

* First bomb explodes outside Police Public School killing a young boy * DSP, JI Peshawar leader killed in second blast

By Akhtar Ali

PESHAWAR: At least 24 people, including a child and police officials, were killed on Monday in bombings hours apart at a school and a crowded market in Peshawar, police said.

Around 49 people were injured in the attacks, they said.

The first bomb exploded outside a school run by a police welfare foundation in the city, killing a young boy and injuring eight others, police and hospital sources said.

“The blast took place after explosives placed near the main gate of the school went off, leaving one child dead and eight others wounded,” District Police Officer Haroon Babar told reporters.

A bomb disposal squad (BDS) official said one-and-a-half kilogrammes of explosives packed in a schoolbag were used in the blast, which were detonated by a timed device.

Second blast: The second blast occurred at Peshawar’s bustling Qissa Khawani Bazaar when a suicide bomber walked into the crowd and detonated explosives.

“Just after the conclusion of a Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) demonstration against load shedding, a young suicide bomber aged 14, walked towards a police mobile and detonated explosives strapped to his body,” Capital City Police Officer Liaqat Ali said.

“Twenty-three people were killed including three police officials. At least 27 people have been admitted to the hospital,” senior police official Imran Kishwar told AFP. Senior provincial minister Bashir Bilour confirmed the toll.

Bomb disposal squad chief Shafqat Malik told reporters that the explosion was caused by a bomber wearing a vest packed with six to eight kilogrammes of explosives, and pellets and ball bearings.

Peshawar Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Gulfat Hussain, JI city Naib Ameer Dost Muhammad and JI Dir-Bajaur Qaumi Jirga Chairman Ghausur Rehman were among the dead.

Police suspect the bomber mainly targeted DSP Hussain because he belonged to the Shia sect.

JI Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa secretary general and former MNA Shabir Ahmed Khan and JI Peshawar Ameer and former MNA Sabir Hussain Awan were among the injured.



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Mourning Peshawar witnesses shutter-down strike
Updated at: 1100 PST, Tuesday, April 20, 2010
PESHAWAR: The city is under mourning air today after the blasts that rocked the city yesterday killing over two dozens people, Geo News said Tuesday.

The Khyber Pakhtoonkhaw government announced three-day mourning with traders grieving and the city closed for trade.

The funeral prayers of those including Jamaat Islami workers and police personnel killed in Qissa Khawni Bazaar have been offered at various places.

The death toll of the yesterday’s blast rose to 24 after another injured succumbed to injuries at Lady Reading Hospital.

The entire city is marking the shutter-down strike with traders are head over heals protesting, as the provincial government has cancelled all its official ceremonies after the announcement of 3-day mourning.

The flag of Awami National Party (ANP) is flying at half-staff on buildings.

Over 30 injured are being given medical care at Lady Reading Hospital.

At least 24 people including a child and police officials were killed Monday in bombings hours apart at a high school and famous crowded market of Qissa Khawani.

As dusk fell Monday at Peshawar's busy Qissa Khawani Bazaar, a suicide bomber walked into the crowd and detonated explosives, scattering shoes and human limbs on the street and destroying cars, witnesses said.

"Twenty-three people were killed on the spot including three police officials. At least 27 people have been admitted to the hospital," senior police official Imran Kishwar said.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Malik Naveed called a meeting of police high-ups to review of the security situation in the country.