This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-south-asia-13565904
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Pakistan: Suicide car-bomber strikes in Hangu | Pakistan: Suicide car-bomber strikes in Hangu |
(about 4 hours later) | |
At least 32 people have been killed after a suicide bomber in a car struck government buildings in Pakistan's volatile north-west. | |
The bomb went off near several buildings and shops in Hangu, close to Pakistan's tribal areas, causing widespread damage. | |
The district's police offices are also in the area and officers are among the casualties, police say. | The district's police offices are also in the area and officers are among the casualties, police say. |
The Pakistani Taliban have said they carried out the attack. | The Pakistani Taliban have said they carried out the attack. |
Militant attacks have risen sharply since the killing of al-Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden by US special forces in Pakistani on 2 May. | Militant attacks have risen sharply since the killing of al-Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden by US special forces in Pakistani on 2 May. |
Police official Latif Khan, said the blast had left a deep crater. | |
"The buildings housing the police station... were partially damaged but at least 15 shops, including a tea house and a restaurant are completely razed," he said. | "The buildings housing the police station... were partially damaged but at least 15 shops, including a tea house and a restaurant are completely razed," he said. |
The buildings also contain Hangu district courts, police said. | The buildings also contain Hangu district courts, police said. |
Pakistani official Mir Chaman Khan said 56 people were wounded. Most of the victims were civilians, and many had been in the restaurant, he added. | |
Witnesses said the blast was so powerful that they feared people were trapped in the rubble. The bomb contained about 900lb (400kg) of explosives, officials said. | Witnesses said the blast was so powerful that they feared people were trapped in the rubble. The bomb contained about 900lb (400kg) of explosives, officials said. |
Hangu, in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, has a history of attacks by militants who frequently target the security forces. | Hangu, in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, has a history of attacks by militants who frequently target the security forces. |
The area also has a history of violence between its Shia and Sunni communities. | The area also has a history of violence between its Shia and Sunni communities. |
The attack came as Adm Mike Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrived in Pakistan for talks with senior military and civilian leaders. | |
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani strongly condemned the blast, describing the attackers as "the enemies of humanity". | Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani strongly condemned the blast, describing the attackers as "the enemies of humanity". |
Pakistani Taliban spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan told AFP news agency: "We accept responsibility for this attack. This was a small attack to avenge Osama's martyrdom. | Pakistani Taliban spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan told AFP news agency: "We accept responsibility for this attack. This was a small attack to avenge Osama's martyrdom. |
"Soon you will see bigger attacks. Revenge for Osama can't be satisfied just with small attacks." | "Soon you will see bigger attacks. Revenge for Osama can't be satisfied just with small attacks." |
On Wednesday, four people were killed and 22 wounded in a suicide lorry-bomb attack on a police station in nearby Peshawar. | On Wednesday, four people were killed and 22 wounded in a suicide lorry-bomb attack on a police station in nearby Peshawar. |
On Monday, Pakistani troops ended a siege by militants who attacked a naval air force base in Karachi, killing at least 16 people, including 10 soldiers. | On Monday, Pakistani troops ended a siege by militants who attacked a naval air force base in Karachi, killing at least 16 people, including 10 soldiers. |