MARDAN, Pakistan: A powerful suicide blast occurred near the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) office in Mardan on Tuesday, killing at least 22 persons while leaving more than 50 further injured.
Meanwhile, according to media reports, the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) splinter group Jamaatul Ahrar has claimed responsibility for the blast.
pic; head of suspected suicide bomber at Mardan blast site, in NADRA office , death toll 18 pic.twitter.com/7BhYSjdBQH
— Khalid Khan™ (@khalidkhan787) December 29, 2015
Talking to media, the District Police Officer (DPO) Mardan Faisal Shahzad said that a suicide bomber rammed his explosive laden motorcycle at the gate of the NADRA Regional Office in Mardan which caused multiple casualties.
The NADRA regional office was located at Dosera Chowk on Mardan-Charsadda road where people were assembled to get Computerized National Identity Cards (CINs) when the powerful explosion occurred.
The DPO rejected the impression that it was a security lapse, adding that policemen were deployed for security of NADRA office.
Meanwhile, the injured were shifted to Mardan Medical Complex Peshawar while critically wounded were being shifted to Lady Reading Hospital. Emergency was imposed in Mardan Medical Complex while doctors on leave were called in for duty.
The sources in hospitals said that the casualty figure may increase further as condition of several victims were critical.
President Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan strongly condemned the terrorist attack near NADRA office Mardan, in which precious lives were lost.
In their separate statements, the expressed deep grief and sorrow over loss of innocent lives in the attack and prayed for eternal peace for the departed souls.
They directed the concerned authorities to ensure provision of best possible medical facilities to the injured. They also called for stricter security to ensure protection of life and property of the people and to deter any terrorist to take advantage.
The interior minister also sought a report from the concerned officials.
