Suspicion falls on Taliban over deadly Pakistan bomb attack
At least 15 people, including three children, are killed in a bomb attack on a security convoy as it passed through a market area in Peshawar, Pakistan.
Twenty five people were also injured in the attack on Sunday, in which a car bomb was used to target a convoy of paramilitary troops.
Deputy Commissioner of Peshawar, Jawad Khan Marwat, said: “The Frontier Corps convoy, comprised of three vehicles, was driving from Peshawar towards Kohat when a parked car containing four to five shells exploded near the security forces convoy.”
The majority of those killed or injured in the attack, in the Budhber area of the city, were civilians.
The enemies of Pakistan are enemies of Britain. David Cameron
Security forces have cordoned off the area and search operation has been begun. A bomb disposal official said the explosion was a “remote control blast” and that “40kg of explosive material was used”.
Responsibility
No one has claimed responsibility for the attack, but suspicions are likely to fall on the Pakistani Taliban, who are largely located in the semi-autonomous tribal region near to Peshawar.
The Taliban has been behind several recent, high profile, attacks – as the US tries to initiate peace talks with the Afghan Taliban.
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Amongst recent targets have been the CIA’s headquarters and the presidential palace in Kabul.
Last week, the Taliban claimed responsibility for the deaths of 10 foreign climbers and a Pakistani guide in the north west of the country. The Taliban said the killings were in retaliation for a US drone attack that killed the Taliban’s deputy leader.
On Channel 4 News on Saturday, Dr Rupra Chaudhuri, who has spoken with members of the Afghan Taliban ahead of peace talks, said compromise with the extremist organisation “is possible”.
‘Stand together’
The attack coincided with a visit to Pakistan by British prime minister David Cameron. Mr Cameron told his Pakistani counterpart, Nawaz Sharif, that the UK would “stand together” with Pakistan to fight extremism.
“The enemies of Pakistan are enemies of Britain, and we will stand together and conduct this fight against extremism and terrorism together,” Mr Cameron said in a joint press conference.
Mr Cameron also welcomed Pakistan’s commitment to help promote a peace deal with the Afghan Taliban in neighboring.
Mr Sharif, who has also pushed for peace talks with the Pakistani Taliban, said: “I will assure Prime Minister Cameron of our firm resolve to promote the shared objective of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan to which the three million Afghan refugees currently living in Pakistan can return with honor and dignity.”