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U.S. Consulate employee killed by gunmen in Pakistan, officials say U.S. Consulate employee killed by gunmen in Pakistan, officials say
(34 minutes later)
PESHAWAR, Pakistan — A Pakistani employee of the U.S. Consulate in Peshawar was shot and killed Monday while traveling home from work, the latest in a string of targeted assassinations in that area, local officials said.PESHAWAR, Pakistan — A Pakistani employee of the U.S. Consulate in Peshawar was shot and killed Monday while traveling home from work, the latest in a string of targeted assassinations in that area, local officials said.
Najeeb Khan, a local police official, said the consulate employee was walking home in the provincial capital of Pakistan’s Kyber Pakhtunkhwa province when gunmen opened fire on him as he approached his house. The man, identified as Faisal Saeed, was killed and the gunmen fled, Khan said.Najeeb Khan, a local police official, said the consulate employee was walking home in the provincial capital of Pakistan’s Kyber Pakhtunkhwa province when gunmen opened fire on him as he approached his house. The man, identified as Faisal Saeed, was killed and the gunmen fled, Khan said.
Khan and hospital officials said Saeed was an employee of the U.S. consulate. Reached by phone, a friend said Saeed, 30, worked as a computer programmer at the consulate and was also active in updating its Facebook page. Khan and hospital officials said Saeed was an employee of the U.S. Consulate. Reached by phone, a friend said that Saeed, 30, worked as a computer programmer at the consulate and was also active in updating its Facebook page.
The friend, who asked not to be identified because of safety concerns, said he “was talking on his phone outside of his house when two armed men shot him and fled.” The friend, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of safety concerns, said he “was talking on his phone outside of his house when two armed men shot him and fled.”
“ They did not take his belongings and his mobile,” the friend said. “They did not take his belongings and his mobile,” the friend said.
A spokeswoman for the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad said she was unable to confirm that Saeed worked at the consulate but said officials are “checking into the reports.”A spokeswoman for the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad said she was unable to confirm that Saeed worked at the consulate but said officials are “checking into the reports.”
In Pakistan, the United States maintains consulates in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar, in addition to its embassy in Islamabad. But due to specific threats over the summer, the consulate in Lahore in eastern Pakistan was closed to the public in August. It remains closed for consular services. In Pakistan, the United States maintains consulates in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar, in addition to its embassy in Islamabad. But because of specific threats over the summer, the consulate in Lahore in eastern Pakistan was closed to the public in August. It remains closed for consular services.
Security has also been an ongoing concern for consulate staff in Peshawar. In September of 2012, two American consulate employees were wounded when a suicide bomber struck convoy they were traveling in. In 2010, two Pakistani employees were among eight people killed in an terrorist attack near the consulate. Security has also been an ongoing concern for consulate staff in Peshawar. In September 2012, two American consulate employees were wounded when a suicide bomber struck a convoy they were traveling in. In 2010, two Pakistani employees were among eight people killed in a terrorist attack near the consulate.
But Pakistani officials refused to speculate whether Saeed was targeted due to his suspected affiliation with the U.S. government. There have also been a spate of targeted assassinations in Peshawar in recent months as Sunni militants attack Shiite professionals. But Pakistani officials refused to speculate whether Saeed was targeted because of his suspected affiliation with the U.S. government. There have also been a spate of targeted assassinations in Peshawar in recent months as Sunni militants attack Shiite professionals.
Meanwhile, on Monday, four women were killed when a suicide bomber blew himself up during a funeral procession in Peshawar, police said. In Peshawar’s Hangu District, three teachers were also gunned down in the morning, according to Pakistan’s DAWN newspaper.Meanwhile, on Monday, four women were killed when a suicide bomber blew himself up during a funeral procession in Peshawar, police said. In Peshawar’s Hangu District, three teachers were also gunned down in the morning, according to Pakistan’s DAWN newspaper.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for any of the attacks.There was no immediate claim of responsibility for any of the attacks.
Last week, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government began preliminary peace talks with Taliban insurgents to try to curb years of bloodshed. In the coming days, a three-member delegation representing the Taliban is expected to release its demands for reaching a negotiated peace settlement.Last week, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government began preliminary peace talks with Taliban insurgents to try to curb years of bloodshed. In the coming days, a three-member delegation representing the Taliban is expected to release its demands for reaching a negotiated peace settlement.
In recent days, various Taliban officials and press reports have indicated the demands would include imposing Islamic law in Pakistan, releasing all Taliban prisoners, providing compensation for the victims of U.S. drone strikes, and cutting off ties with the United States. But other Taliban officials have stressed no final decision has been made on their demands. In recent days, various Taliban officials and news reports have indicated the demands would include imposing Islamic law in Pakistan, releasing all Taliban prisoners, providing compensation for the victims of U.S. drone strikes and cutting off ties with the United States. But other Taliban officials have stressed no final decision has been made on their demands.
While the talks proceed, a senior Taliban spokesman said Monday the militant group has agreed to curtail its attacks. But a splinter group that had been affiliated with the Pakistani Taliban, Ahaar-ul-Hind, issued a statement saying it was breaking ties with the Taliban due to the peace process.” While the talks proceed, a senior Taliban spokesman said Monday, the militant group has agreed to curtail its attacks. But a splinter group that had been affiliated with the Pakistani Taliban, Ahar-ul-Hind, issued a statement saying it was breaking ties with the Taliban due to the peace process.
“Sharia cannot be implemented through dialogue,” said Asad Mansoor a spokesman for the group. “Sharia cannot be implemented through dialogue,” said Asad Mansoor, a spokesman for the group.
Craig reported from Kabul. Aamir Iqbal in Islamabad contributed to this report.Craig reported from Kabul. Aamir Iqbal in Islamabad contributed to this report.