Kohat police lines bomber identified as Afghan national

Investigators probing the terrorist attack on the Kohat Police Lines have identified one of the two suicide bombers involved as an Afghan national, security sources said, adding fresh evidence to Islamabad’s long-standing claims that Afghan soil is being used for attacks against Pakistan. The bomber has been identified as Mutee-Ullah, an Afghan citizen. The identity of the second attacker is still being verified, sources said. Security forces killed all eight terrorists involved in the attack after completing a clearance operation on Saturday, a day after the assault began. Police said the attackers, including the suicide bombers, were eliminated during the operation, with some militants who had entered the Special Branch building also killed by responding forces. The death toll from the attack has risen to 23, including 17 police personnel and six civilians. Those killed include senior officers of SP, DSP and inspector rank. More than 100 people were injured. The operation was personally supervised by the Additional Inspector General of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), who was injured after militants lobbed a grenade at him. According to the CTD, the attack began on Friday when terrorists carried out a suicide bombing at the mosque inside the Police Lines, after which some attackers moved into the Special Branch building. Security forces cordoned off the area and launched a clearance operation that continued into a second day. Cross-border links cited Security officials said the Afghan bomber’s involvement was clear evidence that Afghan territory continues to be used for terrorism against Pakistan. They pointed to recent operations against infiltration attempts along the border: 15 militants were killed last month near Ghulam Khan as they tried to enter from Afghanistan, and five more were killed while attempting to cross into South Waziristan’s Shawal area. Officials said security forces have also tracked and acted against the movement of Fitna al-Khawarij elements, including foiling an attempted crossing at the Kurram border. International reaction Pakistani military officials and the international community have repeatedly raised concerns over the issue. The Director General of ISPR has said on multiple occasions that the Afghan Taliban government has turned Afghanistan into a safe haven for terrorists, accusing the regime of facilitating militant recruitment, training and arms supply from Afghan soil. The United Nations and international media have said more than 20 militant groups are active in Afghanistan. UN Security Council President Christina Markus Lassen said the Afghan Taliban government must immediately halt terrorist training camps, planning and all forms of support for militant groups. China’s UN envoy, Fu Cong, separately said that groups including the Islamic State and Fitna al-Khawarij remain active in Afghanistan and pose a threat to regional security. Funerals held Funeral prayers for those killed in the attack were offered on Friday night, attended by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hamid and other senior officials. A police guard of honour was presented to the victims, with personnel from the police, armed forces and civil administration paying tribute. The bodies were later transported to their hometowns. Speaking at the funeral, IGP Zulfiqar Hamid said: “Every drop of the martyrs’ blood would be accounted for, ” and vowed to chase and eliminate all those responsible. He said the attackers had nothing to do with the teachings of Islam and that authorities were tracing their network, adding that facilitators would also be brought to justice.

Read full story on Aaj English Tv