Pakistani police superintendent killed in suicide attack

Pakistani police superintendent killed in suicide attack

2012-03-16 09:56:36 GMT+7 (ICT)

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (BNO NEWS) -- A senior Pakistani police official was killed on Thursday morning when a suicide bomber attacked a vehicle in northwestern Pakistan, officials told local media organizations.

The attack was carried out at Pishtakhara Square near Bara in the country's Khyber Agency when Pakistani Police Superintendent Kalam Khan was traveling in a vehicle for a routine check of the area. Khan served as Police Superintendent for the rural areas around Peshawar, conducting a number of operations against militants in the area.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Rahim Shah told the Express Tribune that the suicide bomber was on foot and was hiding behind a tree when he approached the vehicle and detonated his explosives on the side where Khan was seated. In addition to the superintendent's death, five others were reported injured.

Shah added that those responsible for the planned attack must have known Khan's exact route, possibly choosing the location of their attack near a speed bump. Local authorities added that around six kilograms (13.2 pounds) of explosives were used in the attack.

Three of those injured were shifted to Hayatabad Medical Complex and were identified as Basher, Liaquat and Hidayat. The other two injured were identified as Zeeshan and Johar and were transported to the Khyber Teaching Hospital. Two of them were reported in a serious condition.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack and police are examining the bomber's body parts recovered at the scene.

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