According to details, a suicide bomber blew himself at the gate of district court Mardan in which at least 14 people were killed and 60 others were reported injured. An eye-witness said that the suicide bomber opened fire before blowing up his explosives.
The terrorists also lodged hand grenades and opened fire before blowing himself up. Initial reports suggested that the bomber tried to enter the court premises, but faced stiff resistance from the policemen at the gate after which he exploded his suicide vest.
Police and rescue teams arrived at the blast site while security forces have surrounded the area. The wounded were shifted to hospitals for treatment.
Emergency was placed at District Headquarters Hospital Mardan whereas one of the injured was shifted was shifted to Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar. Medical condition of several victims was said to be critical.
A search operation was also launched by the security teams following the explosion.Investigation teams arrived at the scene and have launched the probe into the incident.
Evidence linked to the crime have been collected by the investigators. Around eight kilograms of explosives were reportedly used to carry out the terrorist attack.
Read More: Forces foil attack on Christian Colony in Peshawar, 4 terrorists killed
Earlier, four terrorists were killed during exchange of fire with security forces in Peshawar’s Christian Colony on Friday morning. Security has been placed on high alert following the two terrorist attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
PM condemns Mardan terrorist attack
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the terrorist attack in Mardan, stating that the attack will not shatter the country’s resolve in the war against terrorism.
The prime minister said that the terrorists will not get space to hide in Pakistan. He added that the terrorists are showing frustration by attacking soft targets.
He expressed sympathies with the bereaved families and prayed for eternal peace for the departed souls and grant of courage to bear this irreparable loss with fortitude.
Army Chief meets blast victims
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif arrived in Mardan to inquire about the health of the blast victims.
Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Pervez Khattak and Corps Commander Peshawar Lieutenant General Hayat-ur-Rehman accompanied COAS on his visit to Mardan Medical Complex. He met the victims and inquired about their health.
Provincial ministers and district officials were also present on the occasion. He also met Chief Justice of Peshawar High Court Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel.
Security arrangements were much relaxed during the visit of the army chief to the hospital so as the citizens did not face any hardships during the visits. Patients were brought to the hospital as per normal routine neither vehicles denied entry in the hospital premises.
Twitter reacts to Mardan blast
so sad and tragic, loss of so many innocent lives in a day yet again #Mardan #ChristianColony
— Rafey Haider (@rafeyhaider) September 2, 2016
Do special prayers for the martyrs & Pakistan. #Mardan — Mansoor Kazmi (@MansorKazmi) September 2, 2016
Allah pak Pakistan ko Dahshat gardi say nijat Atta farmain Aur Hukmaranun ko khuab e ghaflat say jagain #Mardan — Zeehasham Haider (@zeehashamhaider) September 2, 2016
Soft target again. These coward attacks will not down our morale on war against terrorism.. #Mardan — Sadia Ali (@inno_sadia) September 2, 2016
Enemy again attacked civilians and killed innocents in #Mardan but we want to make it clear our determination to defeat them is clear
— #BuzzFeed (@BuzzFeedJUD) September 2, 2016
#Mardan Terribly sad incident. Together we must stand against the killing of innocent people irrespective of religion caste or color. — Kashif Moten (@kashifmoten) September 2, 2016
Stay calm, #Pakistan – its been a rough day! #Peshawar #Mardan — Yusra Askari (@YusraSAskari) September 2, 2016
Terrorism has no religion, these barbarians don’t care whether they kill muslims or Christians. To hell with them. #Mardan — ™✍ (@shayanabid007) September 2, 2016
Enemy again attacked civilians and killed innocents in #Mardan but we want to make it clear our determination to defeat them is clear
— Muzamal Iqbal (@DrMuzamal) September 2, 2016
