On December 5, 2023, Peshawar, Pakistan, experienced the impact of terrorism with an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast near a school on Warsak Road. The explosion occurred at 9:10 a.m, leaving at least five people injured, among them four children.
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The blast took place near Peshawar Public School, a busy location on Warsak Road, causing damage to vehicles and nearby buildings.
According to Bilal Ahmad Faizi, the spokesperson for Rescue 1122, the IED contained approximately four kilograms of explosives.
The injured, including the children aged between 7 to 10, were transported to the Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) in Peshawar.
LRH spokesperson Muhammad Asim, revealed the severity of the situation, stating that two of the children are in critical condition. The hospital is working to provide the best possible care for the victims.
The Rescue 1122 service dispatched two motorcycle ambulances, four ambulances, and fire vehicles to the site for rescue operations.
Warsak Road Superintendent of Police, Arshad Khan, informed the media that a thorough investigation is underway.
As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, leaving the authorities to struggle with the challenge of identifying the perpetrators. The absence of a immediate claim questions about the motives of the security situation in the region.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar strongly condemned the blast, expressing his outrage at the targeting of children.
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The Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement quoting Kakar, “We will never allow the evil intentions of terrorists to destroy Pakistan’s peace succeed.
We will continue the war till the scourge of terrorism is not eliminated from the country. Kakar urged authorities to provide the best medical care for the injured children and vowed to punish those responsible for the attack.
The incident has renewed calls for a probe into the blast, with Kakar addressing the government’s commitment to eradicating terrorism from Pakistan.
The caretaker Prime Minister’s strong stance underlines the situation to ensure the safety and security of the nation’s citizens.
Pakistan has been struggling with an increase in militant attacks, especially after the Pakistani Taliban terminated their truce with the government in November 2022.
The situation along the Afghan border has been a cause for concern, with officials asserting that militants operating in Pakistan often find refuge in neighboring Afghanistan.
The government has repeatedly called on the Taliban government in Kabul to prevent its territory from being used as a staging ground for attacks on Pakistan. The incident in Peshawar adds to a series of attacks targeting the two provinces along the Afghan border.
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The rise in violence in Pakistan comes at a time when the country is preparing for general elections expected to be held on February 8.
The security situation has concerns about the feasibility of conducting political activities in certain regions, as said by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Ghulam Ali.
Neighboring Afghanistan being a main point of discussions, Pakistan has accused Afghanistan-based militants, loyal to the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), of orchestrating attacks while alleging that the Taliban in Kabul turn a blind eye to these activities.
Kabul, on the other hand, denies these accusations. The targeting of a location near an educational institution in Peshawar raises concerns about the safety of students and civilians.
Mayor Metropolitan Zubair Ali described the incident as unfortunate and condemned it as an attempt to disturb peace and order.
In 2014, the city suffered an attack when six Taliban militants targeted an army-run academy, resulting in the loss of 153 lives, mostly students.
As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Police and security officials cordoned off the blast site, launching an investigation into the incident.
Warsak Road Superintendent of Police, Arshad Khan, shared that initial findings suggested the use of four kilograms of explosives in the attack.
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