Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Suicide bomber kills 19 security men in Pakistan

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Feb 11, IRNA -- A suicide bomber Wednesday killed at least 19 security men, including an officer, in Pakistan’s tribal region near Afghan border, officials and witnesses said.

The bomber on foot approached the vehicle of security personnel in Khyber Agency who were on routine patrolling, witnesses said.

Locals said that the bomber was hiding in a roadside market in Jamrud area and run towards the vehicle when it was passing through the area.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

Several militant groups including the Tehrik-e-Taliban are active in Khyber Agency, the area near the Afghan border.

Militants regularly attack oil tankers and trucks carrying supplies for NATO forces in Afghanistan in Khyber Agency.

Locals frequenting said the traffic on the Pak-Afghan highway were suspended after the attack.

TV channels showed footage of the destroyed vehicle of the tribal security men, called "Khasadar". Another vehicle was also destroyed in the attack.

Officials said that eight security personnel were also injured in the incident who were taken to Peshawar, the capital of North West Frontier Province.

Officials said that the officer who was killed in the attack had received threats from the militants as he had launched successful operation against the militants in recent months.

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End News / IRNA / News Code 956988