LOC14:32
11:32 GMT
ISLAMABAD, Feb 21 (KUNA) -- At least six people were killed and over 20 others wounded as multiple suicide bombers targeted a session court in Pakistan's northern Charsadda district on Tuesday, said officials.
According to a senior police official, DPO Charsadda Sohail Khalid, three suicide attackers attempted to enter the court premises through the main gate. They opened fire and also threw hand grenades, prompting retaliatory fire by police and security forces deployed at the court premises.
The explosions took place at the entrance of the session court and all three bombers were killed.
Administrative official, District Nazim Fahad Riaz confirmed that at least six people including a lawyer were killed and 20 others sustained injuries in the attack.
Security forces cordoned off the area and a probe into the incident went underway. The bodies and injured were shifted to nearby hospitals where an emergency was imposed. Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Javed Qamar Bajwa lauded the timely response by the security forces that saved many lives.
Charsadda is approximately 30 kilometers away from the provincial capital Peshawar city. According to local media, banned outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)'s faction Jamaatul Ahrar claimed responsibility for the attack. Pakistan has been hit by a series of suicide bomb attacks in recent days, claiming more than 100 lives and injuring over 300 others. (end)
sbk.mt