UC Nazim among 13 killed in Peshawar blast

PESHAWAR: At least 13 persons including Union Council Adezai Nazim Haji Abdul Malik were killed and 36 others were wounded Sunday when a suicide bomber blew up a car outside the home of the local nazim in the Madni area near Peshawar city.

The suicide bomber came in a car and exploded it when the mayor was standing with some visitors outside his guesthouse near the local livestock market, killing 12 people and injuring 37 others. At least seven vehicles were destroyed in the blast in Matni area of Adizai. Various buildings also were damaged.

The injured including Union Council Adezai Nazim Haji Abdul Malik was rushed by to nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. According to Lady Reading Hospital sources, 36 injured persons were brought to the hospital, four of them were in critical condition.

District Coordination Officer (DCO) Peshawar Sahibzadah Anis confirmed that Nazim Adizai Abdul Malik, who had raised a militia against Taliban militants in Dara Adam Khel also lost his life in the blast.

It should be mentioned that Abdul Malik, who is leader of local lashkar, was repeatedly ambushed in past; but, no attempt proved successful; however, this time the saboteurs succeeded to kill him.

The responsibility of the attacks was put on extremists based in Khyber Agency and Darra Adam Khel. The relief activities have been started and the Kohat Road and Kohat Tunnel Road have been blocked.

Provincial Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain while talking to media men at site of blast made it clear we have earlier told the nation that such incident can not be ruled out due to military operation in South Waziristan, he said, adding that, terrorists are taking last breath and they would be flushed out at all cost.

We would not bow before the terrorists and war against terrorists would be continued till their elimination, Iftikhar retaliated. International Powers are supporting terrorists in Pakistan, he said, added, Uzbeks, Tajiks, Chechens and Arabs are operating in South Waziristan.

According to SSP Operation Karim Khan, the blast in Matni area of Peshawar was suicide attack in nature. Bomb Disposal Squad also confirmed that blast was suicide attack. Security has been stepped up in the area after the attack.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani strongly condemned the blast in Peshawar that killed several and reiterated resolve that the government will not to be deterred by such cowardly acts.

The President said the government would not let the terrorists to play with the lives and property of the people and would continue to wage a full scale operation till their complete elimination.

The President asked the concerned authorities to submit him a report at the earliest and make all efforts to arrest the perpetrators. He prayed to Almighty Allah to shower his blessings on those who lost their lives and courage for the families to bear their loss.

The Prime Minister said the government had launched a full-scale operation against the miscreants and would not be bowed down by such heinous attacks.

He said the government was fully alive to its responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the people and was taking all necessary measures in this regard.

Gilani prayed to Almighty Allah to bless those who lost their lives and directed best possible treatment for the injured. Various political leaders also condemned the Peshawar blast which claimed at least five lives. The leaders who expressed their deep sorrow at the loss of precious lives include Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik and others.

Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi also strongly condemned the blast and termed perpetrators of the attack as enemies of Islam.

He said that killing innocent people has no justification whatsoever. He expressed sympathy with the members of the bereaved families and prayed for early recovery of those who were injured in attack.