Eight killed in suicide attack on Charsadda courts

25 injured as cops shot dead two bombers; another blew himself up; their bid to enter court premises foiled; Jamaatul Ahrar claims responsibility; PM, CJP, others condemn attack; COAS lauds forces

CHARSADDA/ISLAMABAD/KARACHI: Eight persons, including a four-year-old boy and a lawyer, were killed and 25 others sustained injuries in a suicide attack on the local courts in Tangi, tehsil of Charsadda district on Tuesday, official sources said.

The sources said that the three attackers wearing suicide vests attempted to enter the Kutchery (local courts) at 11:40 am when the policemen guarding the premises became suspicious and asked them to stop for body search.

One of the attackers blew himself up and his two accomplices tried to enter the court premises while firing with pistols at the cops and throwing hand-grenades. The vigilant policemen retaliated and killed the two attackers, eyewitnesses said.

Police officials said eight persons were killed and 25 others were injured in the explosion. Six cops were among those wounded in the attack. Inayatullah, an assistant commissioner, said the policemen fought an intense gun-battle with the attackers. 

Sohail Khalid, District Police Officer (DPO) Charsadda, maintained that none of the attackers was able to enter the court premises as the brave cops on duty foiled their attempt and saved many precious lives. 

The dead were identified as Roohullah, Ghaffar Ali, Miftahullah, Naimul Maula, Munsifullah, Hashir Khan and Munawar Shah. Later, another person succumbed to his injuries in hospital. 

Those who sustained injuries included Alam Khan, Fazl Rabi, Ishtiaq, Munsif Jamal, Bilal Khan, Asif Khan, lady constable Qaisal Alawara, Hamidullah, Sarfaraz Khan, Alam Jan, Gulistan, Sajid, Muqarar Shah, Ayesha, Dawa Khan, Sabz Ali, Sher Akbar, Sher Muhammad and Naushad Khan. 

The injured were taken to the Tehsil Hospital in Tangi where the facilities were inadequate. The wounded persons were later shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Charsadda and also to the Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar. 

The police and security forces reached the spot soon after the attack and launched a search operation in the surrounding areas. The police claimed to have arrested a suspected boy from the scene and shifted him to an undisclosed location for interrogation. 

The injured security in-charge, Fazle Rabbi, told the media that he ordered the cops to open fire after the attackers did not stop. "The shawl-clad attackers didn't stop after warning. We opened fire on them. One of the attackers blew himself up," he added.

Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mardan Range, Ijaz Ahmad said the security of the court had been intensified due to threats. "The vigilant cops challenged the attackers and stopped them from entering the court's premises," he added.

Elected representatives including Senior Minister Sikander Sherpao and special assistant to the chief minister, Mushtaq Ghani, visited the blast site. Speaking on the occasion, Mushtaq Ghani appreciated the police for showing bravery. "They (cops) helped prevent a bigger tragedy," he said, adding, the nation was united to face terrorists. 

It was the second terrorist attack on the courts in Charsadda district.  At least 17 people were killed in an explosion in the premises of the court in Charsadda's Shabqadar tehsil on March 6, 2016.

Meanwhile, the Afghanistan-based militant group, Jamaatul Ahrar, claimed responsibility for the attack and said it was part of the "Operation Ghazi" launched by it recently against the state of Pakistan and its institutions. The operation was named after Ghazi Abdul Rasheed, who was killed in the military assault on the Lal Masjid in Islamabad some years ago. It named two of the attackers as Mohmand Agency's Abdul Basit and Khairullah of Kunduz in northern Afghanistan.

  All three of the attackers were carrying hand grenades and AK-47 assault rifles, Ijaz Khan, police chief in Charsadda, said. "The terrorists had come and wanted to kill as many people as they could inside the judicial complex," Khan said. 

A witness, Mohammad Shah Baz Khan, who was inside the court complex said, "Lawyers and other people in the complex started running to save their lives. There was panic and nobody knew where to go," Khan said. 

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and other leaders and personalities Tuesday strongly condemned the attack on Charsadda district courts and have expressed deep grief over the loss of precious lives.

Prime minister said, "We are a steadfast nation and will not be deterred by such attacks. Our government will continue to fight against terrorist elements and we will succeed by the grace of Almighty", he affirmed. PM sympathised with the bereaved families and prayed to Allah Almighty to bless the martyrs' souls with eternal peace. PM appreciated the response of law enforcement agencies in saving of many precious human lives.

Meanwhile, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has lauded the prompt response of the security forces to Charsadda blast. He also condemned suicide attack on courts.

Director General ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor in a tweet message said the COAS has lauded security forces' response to Charsada blast, saying that police tier encounter has saved many lives. The army chief also shared grief on loss of lives.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar has strongly condemned the terrorist attack in premises of the Tangi Sessions Court, Charsadda that claimed the lives of innocent citizens, besides causing injuries to many people. In a statement issued here, the CJP offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for speedy recovery of injured people.

Likewise, Muhammad Ahsan Bhoon, Vice Chairman & Abdul Fayaz, Chairman, Executive Committee of Pakistan Bar Council have strongly condemned terrorists’ attack in Charsadda courts. They have announced to observe today (Wednesday) as "Mourning Day" to express solidarity with families of martyrs and those injured.

While, Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan strongly condemned the Charsadda terrorist attack. He, in a statement, expressed deep grief over the loss of precious lives in the incident and prayed for early recovery of the injured.

Meanwhile, President PPPP Asif Ali Zardari Tuesday strongly condemned terror attack on Charsadda court. He said that nation should get united to fight the menace of terrorism and added that the government would have to take stern action against terrorists. He also prayed to Almighty Allah for grant of eternal peace to the departed souls and early health recovery of the injured.

In the meanwhile, Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has condemned the bomb blasts and firing in Charsadda, adding that terrorism was the tool of enemies to harm our country and society. In a press statement he expressed deep anguish and distress over unabated wave of terrorist attacks across the country. He saluted the brave Charsadda police personnel. Bilawal prayed for the martyrs, stressing for better medical treatment to the injured.

Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Marriyum Aurangzeb also denounced the terrorist attack.

Talking to the media outside the Supreme Court, the minister said, "I strongly denounce the barbaric attack. We share the grief of the families of martyrs and those injured in the attack and stand with them at this tragic moment. The terrorists through these attacks are striving to break the tensile will of the people and the security forces but all their cowardly acts have been effectively thwarted."