In the first major militant attack after May 11 general elections in Pakistan, two powerful bomb blasts rocked  near two mosques in Malakand Division’s Bazdara area in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province on Friday, killing 15 people.

Islamabad, May 17/Nationalturk – At least 15 people were killed and over 50 injured in two powerful bomb blasts near two mosques in Malakand Division’s Bazdara area in restive Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of northwest Pakistan Friday.

Security officials said two powerful blasts rocked Bar Kalley and main Jamia Masjid of the Bazdara region. “The blasts took place near the mosques before the Friday congregational prayers”.

Pakistan newspaper The Dawn quoted Deputy Commissioner of Malakand Amjad Ali as saying that 15 persons were killed and 100 others injured in two blasts.

He said the death toll may rise as many people have been injured critically.

Media reports said mosques suffered damage in the blasts.

Immediately after the blasts, police and security men laid siege around the area and launched combing and search operation to flush out the militants responsible for the blasts.

TTP’s hand apprehended

Although no militant group has claimed responsibility of the attacks so far but Pakistan security officials believe it is the handiwork of dreaded militant group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The blasts were first major militant attacks in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province after May 11 general elections in Pakistan.

The cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan’s party Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf is set to form a coalition government in the province with the support of two other parties including a rightwing party Jamaat-e-Islami.

In past, Imran has called for talks with the Taliban and other militant groups. Now it remains to be seen what would be the policy of the new government in the province.

 

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Faiz Ahmad / NationalTurk Pakistan News

 

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