11 killed in PC Peshawar bombing

11 killed in PC Peshawar bombing in Pakistan...

PESHAWAR: At least 11 persons, including foreigners, were killed and over 50 others injured when a huge blast ripped through the city’s lone five-star Pearl Continental Hotel — adjoining the residence of the corps commander Peshawar — after an exchange of heavy fire between the terrorists and security personnel on Tuesday night.

A senior police official did not confirm whether it was a suicide attack or the Shahzor mini-truck already parked in the parking lot was blown up by remote control. Those sustaining injuries included ANP’s provincial minister Zarshed Khan, Senator Nabi Bangash, UN officials, three foreigners and an airline’s crew.

A large number of vehicles parked in the parking bay, a mosque, shops inside the hotel, banks and other outlets were completely destroyed and others were partially damaged in the explosion at around 10:20 pm.

Heavy firing took place between the hotel’s security staff and the attackers at the entrance before the latter succeeded to take one of the two cars that they were travelling in towards the mosque in the parking lot of the five-star hotel.

The parking lot is located on the right corner of the main PC building that shares a boundary wall with the official residence of the corps commander Peshawar. The hotel administration had received a number of threats from unknown militants in the recent past for hosting foreigners.

“Immediately after the heavy firing, a huge explosion rocked the entire city, destroying a large part of the well-constructed building. For several minutes, no one was able to see anything due to the thick smoke and dust,” said Nadeem Ilahi Malik, a trader. Another eyewitness, Ziauddin, said everybody just ran out of the building once the dust had settled.

The explosion was heard across the city and even in other towns while the thick smoke billowing from the building was seen from miles away despite the darkness. The windowpanes of buildings located several kilometres away too were smashed. The District Coordination Officer (DCO) Peshawar, Sahibzada Mohammad Anis, put the death toll at five, saying 40 other sustained injuries.

There were reports that three of those killed in the blast were foreigners, including a Russian Alexander Joseph. However, none of the officials confirmed the news, saying some foreigners were among the wounded.

Bomb disposal squad (BDS) officials said the intensity of the blast was equal to that of the Marriott Hotel attack in the federal capital. “Around 500 kilograms of explosives was used in the attack that created a 15-foot wide and six-foot deep crater,” said a BDS official.

“We have cleared all the rooms. Those who sustained injuries were taken to the Lady Reading Hospital and also included foreigners,” Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Safwat Ghayyur told reporters. The city police chief asked media persons to stay away from the building to avoid casualties in case of sliding.

“We are in a war-like situation and I am sure we will succeed in our aims,” opined NWFP Senior Minister Bashir AhmadBashir Ahmad Bilour. Provincial Information Minister Mian Iftikhar said the government was not afraid of such attacks.

The PC is located on the main Khyber Road close to the NWFP Assembly building, the Peshawar High Court, residences of the Corps Commander, the Commandant FC, the Golf Club, the district courts building and the secretariat and directorates of different departments.

Strict security measures were taken at the PC following threats. Electrical barricades were installed at the entrance not to allow any vehicle to enter the hotel without proper checking and clearance by the security officials. There were also reports of shifting diplomatic missions to the hotel permanently in the wake of the worsening law and order situation and threats to foreigners.

Rescue work was going on at the site of the blast till the filing of this report. Darkness still prevailed due to destruction of power installations. The headlights of the vehicles were being used to search for bodies and the wounded people under the debris.