Pakistan: Death Toll From Charsadda Suicide Bomb Soars To 17

CHARSADDA: Death toll from the Charsadda deadly bombing soared to 17 as two more injured succumbed to their injuries in hospital on Monday.  A suicide bomber blew himself up inside a district court’s compound in Shabqadar Bazaar of Charsadda district today when police intercepted him and restricted from entrance to inside building of a local court of the district.   The Jamatul Ahrar, a splinter group of the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), claimed responsibility for the attack saying the attack was carried out to avenge the hanging of Mumtaz Qadri, killer of former Punjab Governor Salman Taseer.   At least 30 people including policemen were injured as well of which conditions of six said to be critical.  “A suicide bomber was attempting to enter a district court as a security personnel, identified as Shabbir, intercepted him outside the court’s premises which prompted him to blow himself up,” Charsadda District Police Officer Sohail Khalid.   “The suicide bomber was trying to enter the judicial complex and he blew himself up when the police stopped him,” said senior police officier Wazir. At least 22 injured were shifted to Lady Reading hospital for treatment where state of emergency has been declared.  According to initial report issued by police, the suicide bomber aged 23 to 25 was on his foot. He stayed with a facilitator for three days in Shabqadar. Report says that up to 6kg explosives were used in the bombing.   (Khyber News)