PESHAWAR: At least six people, including a Khasadar Levy man, were killed and 56 others were injured in a suicide attack in Khyber Agency’s Jamrud area on Tuesday.
The casualties were shifted to Peshawar’s Hayatabad Medical Complex. Security sources say six of those injured were in critical condition.
Political Agent (PA) Shahab Ali Shah told media that the suicide bomber was aiming to enter his office but the plot was foiled because of the strict security measures in place at the complex. Therefore, the bomber could not enter the premises and blew himself up at the entrance gate, Shah said.
The PA said six people, including a Khasadar Levy man were killed in the blast, while 56 other people were injured. At least 16 Khasadar Levy personnel were among the injured.
Khyber Agency is one of Pakistan’s seven semi-autonomous regions governed by tribal laws and lies near the Afghan border. The Taliban and other Al Qaeda-linked groups who stage attacks in both Pakistan and Afghanistan are also known to have strongholds in the zone.
Pakistan has been suffering from frequent bomb and suicide attacks blamed on extremist militant groups and the country’s troops have for years been fighting homegrown armed groups in the tribal belt.
Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan spokesperson Muhammad Khurasani claimed responsibility for the attack in an email sent to journalists.