مینگورہ میں خودکش دھماکے سے 13 افراد ہلاک، 41 زخمی ہوگئے

41 injured as suicide bomber hits security forces’ convoy in Mingora * British woman who had recently embraced Islam also killed in blast, husband injured

Daily Times - MINGORA/PESHAWAR: Thirteen people, including three security personnel and four women, were killed and 41 others injured when a suicide bomber hit a security forces’ convoy in Mingora city on Monday, official sources said.

The attack in Swat’s capital city – shattering the calm in the restive district – occurred at the busy Nishat Chowk of Mingora town when a suicide bomber hit the security forces’ convoy, which was on its way to the Circuit House.

Several vehicles and shops were destroyed in the blast while windowpanes of nearby shops and houses were also shattered. The security forces imposed a curfew in Mingora soon after the blast.

British woman: A British woman, who had converted to Islam a month ago, also died in the attack while her husband was injured. Eight of the injured were reported to be in critical condition, while according to APP, two of them later died in a hospital in Saidu Sharif. The injured were also taken to hospitals in Peshawar and Islamabad, while military personnel were airlifted to Islamabad in helicopters.

An emergency situation was declared in hospitals in Mingora as security forces cordoned off the area.

Meanwhile, APP quoted police officials as saying that nine people, including three women, were killed and 32 other injured in the suicide attack.

It said the blast occurred when people were busy in routine activities. District police said it was a suicide attack. Gunfire was also reportedly heard after the blast.

Malakand Deputy Inspector General Idress Khan told reporters that evidence recovered from the crime scene suggested it could be a suicide bombing, adding the police would investigate the matter before confirming anything. 

NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti condemned the blast and expressed grief over the loss of human lives. He also ordered an investigation into the blast.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani also condemned the bombing, vowing that inhuman acts of terrorism would not sway Pakistan from its determination to eliminate terrorism.

Meanwhile, according to the AFP, a suicide car bomber hit the military convoy and killed nine people, including children, in Mingora.

Local television footage showed a car enveloped in flames and black smoke billowing down a street, as casualties lay on the ground. Police said they had recovered parts of the Suzuki car used by the bomber. ghulam farooq/agencies