PESHAWAR: A powerful time bomb ripped through a bus carrying government employees in Peshawar on Wednesday, killing at least 15 people and causing injuries to 25.The blast that took place near Peshawar’s Sunehri Masjid targeted a Civil Secretariat bus which was carrying government employees from Mardan to the provincial capital.Fear and panic spread among residents in the wake of the explosion and the area was cordoned off with the injured being shifted to the Lady Reading Hospital, where an emergency has been declared.Superintendent of Police Cantonment Muhammad Kashif said the bomb was planted in the rear portion of the bus.

“Fifteen people were killed and 25 others were severely injured,” added the police officer.

Bomb Disposal Unit personnel claimed that high grade explosives weighing eight kilograms was used in the attack.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Information Adviser Mushtaq Ghani told DawnNews Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak condemned the blast and issued directives to provide proper medical care to the wounded.

He said the employees were travelling in a privately-operated bus and that the government cannot ensure security of private vehicles. It was the responsibility of the contractor, Ghani said, adding that usually checks are carried out before the bus leaves its station.
This is not the first time that a civil secretariat bus has been targeted in Peshawar. Similar attacks in 2012 and 2013 killed at least 38 people.