Fifteen killed in ‘Fidayeen’ attack in Pakistan

Oct 01: Another unfortunate day for Pakistan as Bannu, a garrison city of North West Frontier Province of Pakistan shivered again by a fidayeen attack that killed at least 15 people and injured 31 on Monday morning.

According to police report, “ a suicidal bomb attacker wearing a burqa (a dress coving the whole body include face) blasted himself at a rushed check point of Afsar Chowk of Bannu district when police were checking the vehicles as it got the information regarding this sort of suicidal attack. Before reaching to the fidayeen, the attacker came out of an auto rickshaw and blasted himself that killed 15 people include four police person and the suicidal attacker”.

The blast occurred at 8.25 am local time according to eyewitness while a detached head has been found from the bombing place, police informed. It is assuming that it might be the head of the fidayeen but not confirmed till submitting this news.

“A man disguised in a burqa got out of an autorickshaw when police stopped the vehicle for a search. He then blew himself up, killing at least 13 people” said a senior police officer at the sight to the media.

Bannu is situated near the North Waziristan tribal region about 110 miles south of Peshawar. It touches the border of Afghanistan and is famous for being a garrison city of Pakistan. Bannu has been a continuous witnessing of several bomb blasts since last July when Lal Masjid clash occurred in Islamabad in which nearly 100 extremists include some Afghani fighters were killed.

Police sources said they had earlier got information from intelligence bureau about a suicide bomber dressed in all-covering women's burqas would soon launch attacks. They were tightened the security at all checkpoints and were checking all the vehicles, but the attacker blasted himself up before they could check it.

"It was a suicide attack. It was not targeted at any military convoy," said Chief military spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad. “All the wounded persons have been admitted to nearby hospital”, added Waheed.

This is a crucial time for Pakistan as General Parvez Musharraf is preparing for next election despite of being in Army dress. This sort of bomb attacks might be a big challenge for him. Pakistan is a key supporter of the United States in its war against terror and claims to have about 90,000 troops in the northwest tribal areas to confront terrorism that infiltrate from neighboring Afghanistan.