Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Nine policemen among 18 people killed in suicide attack in Pakistan

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, April 16 ,IRNA -- A suicide bomber rammed his explosive-packed vehicle into a check post, killing 9 policemen and 9 civilians in Pakistan’s northwest, a police officer said Wednesday.

The bomber struck the check post when a police mobile team was standing there in district Charsadda in North West Frontier Province, police officer Javed Khan said.

Deputy Inspector General Sifwat Gayyur confirmed that 18 people, including nine policemen died in the attack.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but such attacks are often blamed on Taliban.

Mayor of district Charsadda Sajjad Khan said that three police officers, including Deputy Superintendent Police Bahadar Khan were among the victim policemen.

The injured were taken to hospital in Charsadda, officials said.

Charsadda, a town some 40 kilometers away from Peshawar, has seen suicide attacks on political leaders including former Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao and leader of the ruling Awami National Party Asfanyar Wali Khan. Both survived the attacks but dozens of people were killed in the blasts. Taliban had claimed responsibility for these attacks.

Condemnation: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday strongly condemned the suicide attack at a check post in Charsadda that resulted in the killing of several policemen and other people.

In their separate messages, the President and the Prime Minister have vowed that the perpetrators of such a heinous crime would be brought to justice.

They have directed the concerned authorities to investigate into the matter. They have also ordered the provincial government to provide best medical treatment to the injured of the blast.

President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani have in thier messages also condoled with the beraved families of those who lost their lives in the suicide attack.