File Photo. Karim Ullah—AFP
At least 10 people, including several police officials, injured in attack targeting security officials.
An explosion near a police van in Bannu early on Friday morning injured at least 10 people, including police officials. The blast occurred in the busy Mandan Gate neighborhood of Bannu, which is the gateway to the North Waziristan tribal agency.
The bomb was placed inside a motorcycle that was parked near a police checkpost, said senior police officer Sajid Ali Khan. “As soon as the police mobile team passed by the suspected motorcycle, it detonated and injured at least seven people,” he said. “The injured include three police officials, including a sub-inspector.”
Another police official confirmed the incident. “The police officials were about to inspect the suspected motorcycle when the blast occurred,” he said. A Bomb Disposal Squad official said the bomb had contained at least five kilograms of explosive material, and was detonated through remote control.
The injured were rushed to the nearby District Headquarters Hospital. “We have received a total of 10 injured, however no one is in critical condition,” said a hospital spokesman.
Local police cordoned off the area shortly after the attack and have started a search operation for the attackers. So far no group has claimed responsibility of the attack.