...capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (formerly known as the North-West Frontier Province), administrative and economic hub for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan. Peshawar is situated near the eastern end of the Khyber Pass, convenient to the Pak-Afghan border. Peshawar has evolved into one of Pakistan's most ethnically and linguistically diverse cities, which means lots of gunfire.
last September, grabbed credit.
Punjab inspector general of police Mushtaq Sukhera said the bomber triggered the kaboom outside a restaurant near a paramilitary soldiers' checkpoint at Wagah.
"The parade venue is about 600 metres ahead of the blast site. The jacket wallah detonated the bomb away from the parade venue because of the strict checking," said top Rangers officer Tahir Khan. "If the blast had occurred close to the border gate, the devastation would have been far greater," Khan added.
Nonetheless, the attacker crossed four security checkpoints and was waiting for the public to gather as the flag hoisting ceremony was about to end, said Shuja Khanzada, Punjab's interior minister.
"His target was to get close to soldiers at the border but he was unable to cross the last checkpoint," he said.
Sukhera said the bomber was stopped at the gate of the parade ground. "He detonated his explosives when people gathered near the gate. Up to five kilograms of explosives and ball bearings were used in the blast," Sukhera said. "There were security threats and the border force had prior information," he said.
Ahmed Marwat, front man of al-Qaeda-affiliated Jundullah told Pakistain media including Dawn on telephone that the attack was in retaliation against Pakistain Army's Operation Zarb-e-Azb
..the Pak offensive against Qaeda in Pakistain and the Pak Taliban in North Wazoo. The name refers to the sword of the Prophet (PTUI!)...
against Lions of Islam in
Wazoo."We received scores of bodies including of around 17 women and kiddies. Close to 100 people were maimed," said an official at Ghurki Hospital near Wagah border. Those killed were mostly civilians, with officials saying three Pakistain Rangers personnel were killed and five maimed.
Beating retreat cancelled for 3 days
Pakistain Rangers requested BSF to cancel beating retreat ceremony at Wagah border for the next three days, which was agreed to by BSF chief DK Pathak.
Journalists were told to clear out of the area which was cordoned off by coppers. An official told news agencies that the Indian side of Wagah border was "safe" after blast on Pak side.
Television footage showed shops and buildings razed around the blast crater. Rescue personnel rushed to the site with emergency declared in all Lahore hospitals.
President Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf...
and Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif
...Pak dynastic politician, brother of PM Nawaz Sharif, chief minister of Punjab...
expressed grief over the loss of lives, Radio Pakistain reported. Sharif sought a report on the incident and directed the concerned authorities to provide the best medical treatment to the injured people.
Jundullah and Pak Taliban are loosely aligned and are known to share personnel, tactics and agendas.