Qari Zia Group suspected in Wali Bagh suicide attack

The bomber, who is stated to be in 20s and had taken half a dozen bullets before blowing himself, used manual mechanism to pull the trigger that according to the investigation team was widely used by sponsors of suicide bombings in Charsadda’s neighbouring Mohmand tribal region. “The manual mechanism used in the bombing points more towards Mohmand than Swat where the group involved in suicide bombings use electronic circuitry,” sources said.

Despite the stringent security measures at the Hujra (guestroom) of ANP Chief Asfandyar Wali Khan, the bomber was intercepted just 30 feet away from Asfandyar Wali before he blew himself. Asfandyar Wali Khan was shifted to Islamabad shortly after the incident and is believed to be residing in Aiwan-I-Sadr.

Security of prominent ANP leaders has been beefed up in view of the general life threat to the top leadership of the party that is struggling to root out terrorism and extremism from Fata and NWFP.

Meanwhile, at least five persons were killed and 15 others injured in a suicide attack at Wali Bagh Charsadda on Thursday, the second day of Eid-ul-Fitr. The Awami National Party Chief Asfandyar Wali Khan who was the target of the suicide attack. He remained safe along with other family members.

As per details, a suicide bomber blew himself up in front of the main Hujra (Hall) at Wali Bagh. The suicide bomber’s effort for blowing himself up near Asfandyar Wali Khan was foiled by his (Asfandyar Wali’s) personal bodyguard and other personnel of the security forces.

The explosion was so severe that it resulted in the death of five persons on the spot and injuries to around 15 others. The killed persons besides the personal security guard of Asfandyar Wali Khan namely Yar Zamin also included ANP District Buner Senior Vice President Mr. Shams Ul Zaman Khan, Bank Manager Fazal Ghani Khan, police constables Shabir and Fazal Amin.

Soon after the explosion, the security forces cordoned off the site and shifted the injured people to Charsada and Peshawar hospitals.