Bride among 13 killed in Matta blast

Published February 23, 2008

SWAT, Feb 22: A bride and 12 other people were killed when one of the vehicles being used by a wedding party was hit by a roadside bomb near Sarbanda in Matta tehsil here on Friday. Twelve other people suffered injuries.

This is the first terror-related incident since the crucial parliamentary elections were held on Monday.

The bride’s father was among the dead, a police official said. He said that the bomb had been detonated by remote control and two cars had been destroyed.

The motorcade had originated from the Ronail village.

According to the in-charge of the army’s media centre, Maj Aurangzeb, two explosive devices had been triggered, one after another.

Local people said the vehicle carrying the bride had been attacked twice by militants because it looked like an army vehicle.

Most of the dead were women and children. Another five children were injured.

Security forces cordoned off the area and found another improvised device near the Wanay village. It was detonated.

The road is frequently used by security forces and an army unit is stationed in the Sarbanda area.

Interior ministry spokesman Brig (retd) Javed Cheema confirmed the incident, according to AFP.

Editorial

Ominous demands
Updated 18 May, 2024

Ominous demands

The federal government needs to boost its revenues to reduce future borrowing and pay back its existing debt.
Property leaks
18 May, 2024

Property leaks

THE leaked Dubai property data reported on by media organisations around the world earlier this week seems to have...
Heat warnings
18 May, 2024

Heat warnings

STARTING next week, the country must brace for brutal heatwaves. The NDMA warns of severe conditions with...
Dangerous law
Updated 17 May, 2024

Dangerous law

It must remember that the same law can be weaponised against it one day, just as Peca was when the PTI took power.
Uncalled for pressure
17 May, 2024

Uncalled for pressure

THE recent press conferences by Senators Faisal Vawda and Talal Chaudhry, where they demanded evidence from judges...
KP tussle
17 May, 2024

KP tussle

THE growing war of words between KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Governor Faisal Karim Kundi is affecting...