HANGU – At least 12 people were killed and 30 others got injured when a suicide bomber attacked a convoy of civilians guarded by security forces here in tehsil Tal on Friday.
According to details, the suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden vehicle into the convoy of vehicles escorted by law enforcement agencies that was on its way from Tal of Hangu district to Parachinar, Kurram Agency, on Tal-Parachinar Road in the jurisdiction of Dandore area of Hangu.
The injured were rushed to CMH Tal and District Headquarters Hospital Hangu where the condition of some of them was stated to be critical.
Being a sensitive area, passenger caravans passing from this area are usually accompanied by four to five vehicles of security forces. Four vehicles were also destroyed in the attack. Soon after the incident, the security forces cordoned off the area and imposed curfew. Similarly Tal Bazaar was also closed down.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani strongly condemned the suicide attack. The two leaders in their separate messages expressed their deep shock and grief over the sad incident in which several security personnel and civilians were killed.
They expressed their resolve not to be deterred by such acts of violence and vowed to continue the fight against terrorism till its logical conclusion.
The two leaders conveyed their grief to the bereaved families and directed best possible treatment for the injured. They also sought an enquiry into the incident and directed the provincial authorities to investigate and submit a report.
NWFP Governor Owais Ahmad Ghani, Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti, ANP President Asfandyar Wali Khan and Provincial President Afrasyab Khattak have condemned the attack. They expressed sympathies with the families of those who breathed their lost in this deadly suicide attack and prayed for early recovery of the injured.