Explosions near police van, 5 killed, 27 injured

Islamabad. Five police officers were killed and 27 others were injured in an explosion near a police van on Monday in Mamund tehsil of Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan. District Police Officer Kashif Zulfikar confirmed the number of casualties.

In its report, local newspaper Dawn has quoted Bajaur Police spokesperson Israr Ahmed as saying that a polio vaccination campaign is going on in the area. Police officers and soldiers were on their way to provide security to the polio teams. His van was targeted on the way.

District Headquarters Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Wazir Khan Safi said 12 injured were being treated at the hospital, while 10 others who were seriously injured have been referred to Peshawar. Malakand Division Commissioner Saqib Raza said polio vaccination campaign in the area has been temporarily stopped due to the blast.

Acting Chief Minister of the province Justice (retd) Arshad Hussain Shah condemned the blast and expressed grief over the martyrdom of police officers. National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf has also condemned the incident.