Suicide blast kills 13 in Rawalpindi RA Bazaar; TTP claims responsibility
- January 20, 2014, 9:21 pm
- National News
- 146 Views
RAWALPINDI, Jan 20 (INP): At least 13 persons including six security personnel and citizens were killed while 24 others injured when a suicide bomber blasted himself in RA Bazaar of Rawalpindi early Monday morning. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed the responsibility of the attack.
Sources said that a bicycle rider suicide bomber exploded himself when he was intercepted near RA Bazaar.
Rescue and hospital sources said that 24 injured including civilians and school students were shifted to nearby hospitals.
Security forces reached the site immediately after the incident and cordoned off the area while the residents were advised to stay indoors. Bomb disposal squad was also called in to ascertain the safety of the residents.
The injured included mostly civil staff of security agencies and school going children. The news of the blast led to parents rushing to schools near the site to inquire about the children's safety.
The deceased included Subedar Abid Hussain, Hawaldar Muhammad Asghar, Hawaldar Muhammd Akram, Lance Naik Imran, Naik Anwar Ali, Sepoys Abid, Rashid, two students Mubbashir, 19, Hassan Raza 17, two citizens Muhammad Saddique, 46 and Abid Hussain, 60.
Windowpanes of nearby buildings were also damaged due to the explosion. Security was put on high alert throughout the area after the blast.
Media was stopped to approach the blast site as the security personnel gathered evidences.
The security personnel took two suspects into custody from the site of blast who were being interrogated.
The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the bombing. According to a private TV channel banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesman Shahidullah Shahid said the group had carried out the attack in Rawalpindi, adding that it was in response to the ongoing military operations in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and the killing of the militant leader Waliur Rehman.
Meanwhile, President Mamnoon Hussain, PM Mian Nawaz Sharif, PTI chairman Imran, MQM Quaid Altaf Hussain, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, leaders of other political parties including ANP, JI, PPP and others have strongly condemned that attack.
