In a wedding ceremony at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan, a suicide bomber detonated explosive, killing at least seven and injuring 25 other guests. The blast happened at the residence of a pro-government community leader Noor Alam Mehsud, while the celebrations were underway, guests were dancing at the venue. The blast was so powerful that the roof collapsed and many guests were trapped beneath, making the rescue effort even more difficult. As per the official records, among the deceased are Waheedullah Mehsud, alias Jigri Mehsud, a peace committee leader and former militant who had surrendered.
Who is behind the bomb blast in Pakistan?
It is suspected that the Pakistani Taliban (Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan) is behind the attack, however no group has until now claimed the attack. A spokesperson for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rescue 1122, Bilal Ahmed Faizi informed the Pakistani news agency that currently the rescue operation is underway. At least five bodies and 10 injured have been shifted to hospital. At least 7 ambulances, a fire brigade, and a disaster response vehicle have been trying to help rescue those trapped beneath the debris. Faizi said, “Currently operation is underway.”
Confirming the suicide bombing, District Police Officer (DPO) Sahibzada said, “It is premature to say anything about the casualties. But an emergency has been declared at the District Headquarter Hospital.”
Meanwhile the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has ordered a detailed report on the Dera blast, noted Pakistani news agency. Kundi expressed grief over the incident and gave assurance that necessary medical assistance would be provided to those critically injured.
Multiple attacks on Peace Committees
This is the third such attack on the peace committee. In January first week, a similar attack was reported where an armed assailant in the Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa shot four members of the peace committee. Similarly in November last year, at least 7 people were killed in another attack on a peace committee office in Bannu. Police informed a Pakistani news agency that one of the victims was a “good Talib,”, this is a word used for former militants who have surrendered to the state.
