By Islamuddin Sajid
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AA): At least 25 people were killed and 35 injured in a bomb attack in Kalaya Bazaar, northwest Pakistan on Friday, local media reported. Meanwhile, a terror attack on the Chinese Consulate General situated in the posh Clifton locality of the port city of Karachi, was foiled by security forces on Friday. All staff members of the foreign mission were reported safe in the attack.
The incident in NW Pakistan occurred near a religious seminary [madrasah] in Kalaya area of Orakzai agency of Hangu district, local broadcaster Geo News said, citing security sources.
The injured, some of them in critical condition, were rushed to a local hospital.
Meanwhile, security forces put the security cordon and launched a search operation in the region.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan has claimed responsibility for previous attack on security forces and civilian in the region.
Two policemen were injured in an exchange of fire with the terrorists at the Chinese Consulate General attack in Karachi. All three attackers were also killed in the ensuing gunfight with security forces.
A terrorist with suicide vest was gunned down by security forces and the other two were killed in an exchange of fire. A female police officer, SSP Suhai Talpur, led the operation against the terrorists.
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi confirmed that all Chinese officials and other staff were safe in the attack.
Orakzai district, one of the Pakistan’s seven tribal district, has remained a battleground between the army and the Taliban since 2010, which was cleared by Pakistan army following the launch of a full-scale military operation in 2014.
Additional report by The Muslim News
[Map of Pakistan from the CIA Factbook/Public Domain]
