Car bomb attack in northwestern Pakistan kills 26

Car bomb attack in northwestern Pakistan kills 26

2012-01-11 09:07:35 GMT+7 (ICT)

PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- At least 26 people were killed on Tuesday when a car bomb exploded at a local bazaar in northwestern Pakistan, officials said on Wednesday. Dozens more were injured.

Police said the attack happened when a pickup van exploded at the Zakhakhel bus stand in Jamrud, a town located in Khyber Agency, about 17 kilometers (10.2 miles) west of the city of Peshawar. The powerful explosion destroyed several nearby vehicles.

At least 26 people were killed as a result of the explosion while 52 others were injured, some seriously, according to the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP). Emergency teams rushed the wounded to several hospitals in Peshawar, where an emergency was declared.

Among those killed were several women and children, according to Jamrud Assistant Political Agent Muhammad Jamil Khan. He said three Khasadar tribal police force members were also among the casualties and noted the death toll could still rise.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani both condemned the attack and expressed their sadness over the loss of human life. Both leaders reiterated their commitment to continue 'relentless efforts' to defeat terrorism and extremism.

Abroad, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the attack, for which no group immediately claimed responsibility. "[ban] extends his heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims and reiterates the continued solidarity of the United Nations with the people and Government of Pakistan in their continuing efforts to confront terrorism and extremism," his spokesman said.

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland also condemned the attack. "By callously targeting innocent people, the extremists who planned and perpetrated this attack are just showing their contempt for the value of human life," she said. "We offer our condolences to the families and friends of the victims, and we remain deeply committed to working with Pakistan to address these kinds of terrorist threats and the results of violent extremism."

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-01-11