MARDAN: At least 26 people were killed and 45 injured when a suicide bomber struck the office of a National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) in Mardan on Tuesday.
A suicide bomber riding an explosives-laden motorcycle rammed into the NADRA office where a large number of people were standing in queues, police said.
A security guard identified as Pervez standing outside the NADRA office stopped the suicide bomber from entering the office and at that point the bomber blew himself up. The death toll could have been horrific had the guard not taken bold step of stopping the bomber outside.
All injured had been taken to the Mardan Medical Complex and the Mardan District Hospital.
The regional police officer (RPO) in Mardan, Syed Wazir declared the blast as a suicide attack.
Security personnel had cordoned off the location after the explosion.
Prime Minister condemns the blast
Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the terrorist attack at NADRA office Mardan in which precious lives were lost.
In a statement issued hourse after the deadly attack, the PM expressed deep grief and sorrow over loss of innocent lives in the attack and prayed for eternal peace for the departed souls.
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Interior Minister denounces attack
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali condemned the terror incident and sought a report from senior officials.
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