Perhaps, the world was awaiting this. With UK and US tightening their security, perhaps, no one expected the target to be Pakistan, itself. On second thoughts, it seems like a reason to empathise with Pakistan. But is it a deliberate attempt to gain innocent sympathy or has the bombing really been targeted to take the revenge?
Well, the Pakistani Taliban Tehrik-e-Taliban carried out two bomb attacks in the Frontier Constabulary located in Charsadda district, killing at least 80 people. Around 120 have been injured, police said.
Ehsanullah Ehsan, the spokesperson from the militant group has stated that this is the first attack avenging the death of Osama bin Laden. He also warned about ‘bigger attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan.’
The police have stated that both the attacks have been cases of suicide bombing. Most of the dead were the young recruits, undergoing training. Currently, they were boarding the bus early in the morning, ready to return to their families following intensive nine month training.
Even in the past, there have been repeated Al- Qaeda and Taliban attacks against the government forces in Shabqadar, which is located 30 kilometres away from Peshawar.
The Police Chief at Charsadda, Nisar Sarwat has confirmed that it was an incident of suicide bombing.
Ahmad Ali, one of the injured paramilitary policeman stated how happy he was for the hope of returning home when suddenly he heard ‘Allah Akbar’, following the immediate bomb explosion.
This attack has been called as the ‘deadliest’ bomb explosion after 5th November when 68 people were killed by a suicide bomber in a mosque at Darra Adam Khel.
Apart from the FC Cadets, even the civilians and property has witnessed massive destruction, including 12 vans and 12 shops.
‘US and UK condemn the attack’
Condemning these terrorist attacks and calling them ‘cowardly’, the British Foreign Secretary William Hague has pledged to support Islamabad in this hour of need.
Meanwhile US Embassy in Pakistan has stated in a statement issued immediately after the attack that it respected the sacrifices by the Pakistani people and would work to disrupt the Al-Qaeda and Taliban.
‘Pressure on Pakistan’
After the 2nd May killing of Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, the pressure on Pakistan to reveal how the world’s most wanted terrorist leader was hiding in the country, has been increasing in a phenomenal manner. The Pakistani army has also witnessed dramatic increase in criticism and allegations against its role in the country.
On the other hand, the Pakistani government did not appreciate the sudden ‘intervention in their sovereignty’ by carrying out raid in their country without their previous permission.
Meanwhile, US was allowed the much demanded access to three widows of Osama bin laden who are currently in the custody of Pakistan.
Credits: Photo from Reuters
shubhdachaudhary 