A pair of bomb blasts that targeted Pakistan’s beleaguered police force in the insurgency-infested northwest killed 15 people, including 12 policemen.
The blasts, which took place five minutes apart, targeted a police patrol as it traveled through the town of Bannu in the settled district of the same name. The bombs were detonated outside of a hospital and a police training center, Dawn reported. The second blast occurred as rescue teams responded to the first attack.
Twelve police and three civilians were killed in the blasts, according to AFP. The local police chief was seriously wounded, along with 24 other persons.
Bannu borders the Taliban-controlled tribal agency of North Waziristan. The Jani Khel and Baka Khel regions in western Bannu are under Taliban control; the North Waziristan Taliban commander holds sway in these regions, which also have a strong al Qaeda presence. In September 2009, the Taliban killed two tribal leaders who were attempting to raise tribal militias and oust the Taliban from the region.
The Taliban have actively targeted police forces in the Northwest Frontier Province and the tribal areas. The poorly armed police are on the front lines of the battle with the Taliban.
Just yesterday, the Taliban struck a police unit in the nearby tribal agency of Khyber. A suicide bomber killed 11 policemen and eight civilians in the Jamrud region.
Also yesterday, the Taliban killed a Pakistani Army brigadier general and wounded two officers as they attempted to rescue the pilots of a downed Cobra attack helicopter in Khyber.
1 Comment
These Pakistani police causalties lately 12 dead a few days ago, 15 today plus the wounded what for these type of attacks must be like 10:1 death at least.
Add the calls the attacks have the smell of an inside job.
It makes me wonder what these loses do to the police force are they cowed beaten and corrupt.
The outrage it must cause, the burn to avenge their brothers or professionally seek justice for these crimes.
I haven’t seen any reports trying to measure the fervour the Pakistan forces hit their jobs without it being ruined by suspect statistics and propaganda.
The stereotype common opinion of them being politically tainted shiftless and half arse needs renewing possibly I hope.
DeStab