At least eight killed in Islamabad suicide attack

Though initial reports had said that there was an exchange of fire between security forces and suspected militants,but police officials clarified that Paramilitary Frontier Corps personnel had fired in panic. The personnel have been asked to unload their weapons to prevent any further panic-firing.

The market was packed with shoppers at the time of the attack. Panicked people rushed out of the supermarket causing traffic snarls on nearby roads as the police and security personnel cordoned off the area.

Security personnel have repeatedly come under attack from militants in Pakistan in the recent past.

DIG Bin Yamin told reporters that at least eight Paramilitary Frontier Corps personnel were killed and five others were injured. He said body parts of the suicide bomber have been found at the site where the attack occurred at about 7.38 pm. The police has also lifted the cordon.

Meanwhile TV channels quoted a senior police official as saying that one person has been arrested in connection with the attack.

“We have arrested a suspect and interrogation is on,” Islamabad Senior Superintendent of Police Tahir Alam,said.

In a separate attack,17 people,including five children,were killed and over 30 others injured on Saturday when a suicide bomber attempted to target a security forces convoy in Pakistan’s restive North Waziristan tribal region.

The convoy was going from Bannu to Miranshah,the main town in North Waziristan Agency,when the suicide car bomber tried to attack it at a crowded market. The bomber detonated his explosive-laden vehicle when the security forces opened fire at him.

Seventeen civilians,including five children,were killed instantly. Three paramilitary personnel were among the 30 people injured in the blast,Geo News channel reported.

The powerful explosion also damaged the press club,a hospital,several buildings,shops and cars and disrupted power supply in the area.

No group claimed responsibility for the suicide attack.

Local residents said shopkeepers closed their establishments after the attack,fearing a reaction from security forces.

This was the first major attack on security forces in North Waziristan since a peace deal was signed between the Government and local militants about two years ago.