Seven wounded in bomb attack on police car

PESHAWAR: Four policemen and three civilians were wounded when a patrolling car of the Bhanamari police station came under a bomb attack in the crowded Garhi Qamardin Chowk Thursday evening.

Ambulances and police contingents were rushed to the spot after explosion in the main square of Garhi Qamardin under the Rahman Baba Bridge. Senior police officials said the cops were checking vehicles at the spot when their car was targeted with an improvised explosive device at around 6:55pm.

“Four policemen and a couple of civilians were injured in the blast. Initially it seems to be caused by an improvised explosive device that was triggered via remote control,” capital city police officer Dr Mian Saeed Ahmad told The News. The wounded included assistant sub inspector Shah Faisal and constables Sajjad, Noorullah and driver Zia.

Three civilians who received minor injuries were also taken to hospital. The injured personnel were shifted to the hospital where one of them was said to be in critical condition. The CCPO as well as Senior Superintendent of Police (Operations) Masood Ahmad Bangash and other cops visited the spot and the hospital to inquire after the health of the wounded.

“There is complete darkness at the spot after the traffic police have blocked the road for the last few years so vehicles coming from Ring Road do not intercept the cars on Kohat Road,” an eyewitness said. He said the spot was vulnerable as there is no light and terrorists took advantage of it. Police have come under attack in the chowk many times in the past years.