Attack on peace committee office kills 7 people in N. Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Nov 21 (KUNA) -- At least seven people lost their lives and another sustained injury when armed militants attacked a peace committee office in Bannu district of Pakistan's northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province on Friday.
According to a statement by KPK police, the attackers barged into the peace committee office in the Haved Daradariz area of Bannu and opened fire and fled the scene.
Pakistan's Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi strongly condemned the incident, expressing deep sorrow over the killing of seven people.
The KPK police registered the case against a banned outfit Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commander in wake of the attack.
The dead and injured were shifted to the government run District Headquarters hospital. Security has been beefed up in the area to maintain law and order while an investigation into the incident went underway.
Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif has also strongly condemned the attack on the Peace Committee office in Bannu.
In a statement, he expressed profound grief and sorrow over the tragic loss of precious lives in the incident.
He offered prayers for the elevation of the ranks of those martyred and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.
He directed the authorities concerned to promptly identify those responsible for the attack and ensure they are brought to justice.
PM Sharif reaffirmed that these cowardly actions can never weaken the resolve of the Pakistani people, who stand united in their determination to crush anti-state elements.
The attack comes at a time when security forces have killed over 85 militants in a series of counter terrorism operations across the province.
Pakistan is witnessing a rise in terror attacks especially in KPK and Balochistan provinces bordering Afghanistan. (end) sbk.mb