By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani have strongly condemned the blast in Bannu in which some policemen lost their lives.
In his message President Zardari said that the government was determined to deal with the scourge of terrorism and extremism with an iron hand while Gilani said those carrying out acts of terrorism will never escape the law.
The President and the Prime Minister prayed to Allah Almighty to rest the departed souls in eternal peace.
They praised the courage of the policemen and said the valiant personnel laid down their lives in the line of duty.
They also prayed for the quick recovery of the injured and have directed the authorities to provide them best medical care.
A suicide bomber detonated his explosive‑packed van in a Tazeeri square when the town police intercepted him in Bannu district, killing seven persons including a police constable instantly and injuring another 16, a police officer said.
Muhammad Alam Shinwari, DPO Bannu told APP that the attacker, who was driving an explosive laden pickup van, blew himself up when a police mobile party of township police intercepted him at Tazeeri chowk near Khattak hotel.
Resultantly, he said that seven persons including constable, Kashmir Khan died on the spot while 16 others sustained wounds.
Besides constable Kashmir Khan, the dead include Adil Khan, Haneef, Asghar, Aqeel while identity of four victims could not he ascertained.
SHO Town police station Saadullah Khan, head constable Abdul Jaleel Khan, constables Abdullah and Azmat besides civilians Dulat Khan, Azal Khan, Qaim Khan, Abeedullah, Rohullah, Nek Muhammad, Gul Dad, Faridullah, Zaiullah, Firdos Khan, Irfan and Sanaullah sustained injuries.
The injured were shifted to District Headquarters Hospital Bannu for treatment. Emergency has been enforced in Bannu hospitals and doctors on leave have been called in for duty.
DPO Muhammad Shinwari said that high‑level probe committee has been constituted to investigate the incident. He said that casualty figure might rise further as condition of few victims is serious. Police soon after the incident cordoned off the area and started operation.
NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti has strongly condemned the explosion and termed it a heinous crime against humanity.
“The terrorists have no religion as a Muslim can not shed blood of innocent people,” the chief minister said in a statement.
The Chief Minister also directed the administration of civil hospital in Bannu and the local administration to provide every possible facility to those injured in the blast.
In his condolence message, Ameer Haider Hoti sympathized with the bereaved families and assured that the provincial government would provide full assistance to the victim families.
He also prayed to Allah Almighty to grant eternal peace to the deperated souls and grant courage to the affected families to bear the irreparable losses with patience and fortitude.
Meanwhile in the BAJAUR AGENCY, security forces are successfully making advancement in various areas of the agency and established their control by flushing out the militants.
The forces engaged militants in parts of the agency on Friday and heavily shelled their hideouts, killing at least two militants.
The strongholds of the miscreants in tehsil Nawagai, Charmang, Chamakand, Cheenar and tehsil Mamoond were targeted by the security forces killing two suspected militants.
Similarly Qaumi Lashkar of Salarazai tribe also started its activities against the militant and established check posts. The lashkar made tight security arrangements in their areas to meet any eventuality.