Teenager Killed in Hangu Suicide Attack

File Photo

Lashkar-e-Jhangvi claims responsibility for attacking school in Shia-dominated area of Hangu district.

A suicide bomber blew himself up outside a government school in Hangu district on Monday, killing one student.

The bomber detonated himself in front of the Ibrahimzai Government Boys School a few minutes before classes were scheduled to begin, according to police. “The suicide bomber blew himself up in front of the school gate. One student of 9th class was killed,” said Iftikhar Ahmed, the district police chief. “The target was the school.” He said casualties could have been worse if the school gate had not been closed at the time of the blast, adding that the legs of the attacker had been recovered.

The body of the deceased student, Aitzaz Hassan, was transported to the local district hospital. “We received one body, aged between 14-15 years old,” confirmed a hospital official.

The school is located in a Shia-dominated area that has suffered from sectarian violence in the past. Shortly after the blast, local TV reported that the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi had claimed responsibility for the attack.

Also on Monday, unidentified militants attacked a girls’ school on the outskirts of Bannu. “The militants blew up a girls’ school in the Havaid area early on Monday,” said a police official. “There were no casualties because the school was closed at the time of the attack.”