Pakistan: 15 killed in Kohat suicide attack against Shias

Eyewitness Waheed Ahmed said the bus stand was used mainly by passengers from Shia-dominated areas of Orakzai and Kurram, where sectarian violence has rocked the local population.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: Daily Times | Pakistan
By DT Staff Reporter | December 9, 2010

Taliban from Darra Adam Khel claim responsibility, say Shias were targeted 

PESHAWAR: A suicide bomber blew himself up close to a minivan in Kohat, leaving 15 passengers, including women and children, dead and 24 others injured in a blatant attack on Shias, police officials said on Wednesday.

The packed minivan was ready to depart for Kalaya in Orakzai, west of Kohat, which is 65 kilometres south of Peshawar, when a 20-year-old terrorist detonated explosives coupled with lethal ball-bearings close to the passengers, Kohat District Police Officer Dilawar Bangash told reporters.

“It was a suicide attack on a passenger van at the Tirah bus stand,” the police official said. He did not say which sect the casualties belonged to, however, local journalists said most of the victims were Shias.


A purported spokesman for the Taliban from Darra Adam Khel, Usman Ali, rang up journalists in Kohat to say that “Shias were targeted and more such attacks would follow”.

Eyewitness Waheed Ahmed said the bus stand was used mainly by passengers from Shia-dominated areas of Orakzai and Kurram, where sectarian violence has rocked the local population. Wednesday’s attack comes after authorities sealed off Kohat and adjoining Hangu districts as part of the security arrangements for Muharram to prevent possible attacks from Sunni sectarian groups.

Double suicide attacks in Ghalanai on Monday left 42 tribal elders, levy force personnel and journalists dead, while another bomber failed to assassinate Balochistan Chief Minister Aslam Raisani on Tuesday. Security officials warned that the Taliban might increase suicide attacks during Muharram and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has ordered strict measures to foil the designs of terrorists.

Separately, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani condemned the blast.

The PM termed the act a brutal and inhuman terrorist activity by a group of fanatics who had no regard for any religion or creed. He reiterated the government’s resolve to continue the fight against such elements.




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