34 killed in suicide attack on troops

MANGORA—At least 34 people including 30 Paramilitary soldiers were killed while 19 others received serious injuries when their convoy was hit by a blast near Police Line, District Swat on Thursday. According to details, a truck bearing number (SWH-2877) loaded with ammunition and soldiers blasted near Police line when heading towards Tajori. 30 soldiers and 4 civilians were killed while 9 security Personnel and 18 people are seriously wounded.
The blast set fire to a truck while fire brigade extinguished the fire after struggle of many hours. The blast also caused damage to roundabout 25 Shops, several vehicles, Petrol pump and CNG stations. According to FC authorities upto 39 soldiers were on truck when the blast occurred. Local administration and local Police took the injured to Saidu Sharif hospital out of which several are in critical condition.
The relevant authorities were facing enormous problem in identification of bodies, as they were totally brunt. According to Inspector General Malakand the death toll is likely to increase. Police said the blast was suicide, but security authorities said the cause was still being investigated by cordoned off the whole area.
The 34 injured included 23 security personnel and 11 civilian who have been rushed to the Saidu Group of Hospitals and admitted in precarious condition. There were 43 security men on board the truck when it was hit by the miscreants apparently with remote explosive device, official sources told this agency. The truck hired by the administration for shifting of security personnel for deployment in Barikot area met the fatal accident on Mingora-Kanju road soon after it emerged from the police lines.
According to sources the truck had probably hit a bomb planted amidst the main road and exploded with big bang. The sources in the district administration were, however, not clear about the nature of blast whether it was suicidal attempt or bomb explosion. Probably the truck might hit by IED (Improvised Explosive Device), commented an official sources in Swat. The blast followed series of explosions as the ammunition in the truck detonated with big bang.
Meanwhile Secretary Home NWFP told a private TV channel that more than 300 armed miscreants were present in Swat. He said that no military operation will be launched in the area but action will be taken against those creating hurdles in the efforts for maintenance of peace and public order in the area.—Agencies

Fazlullah goes into hiding

SWAT—People living in different areas of District Swat have started fleeing the area due to severe security measures while Maulana Fazlullah has gone into hiding on Thursday.
After consultation with Ulema the other day, Maulana Fazlullah announced to leave for Kohistan, however, sources told Online he was not in Kohistan. It is expected that he concealed himself in area of Matta. Security forces continued mobilizing and taking strategic points to support the local administration and Police in controlling the deteriorating law and order situation and militant activities, as additional troops of FC has been deployed in Mangora, Saidu Sharif and Matta.—Online