Pakistan - Peshawar unrest

Suicide car bomb kills 11 at police checkpoint

Article published on the 2009-11-14 Latest update 2009-11-14 16:57 TU

Security officials survey the site of Saturday's suicide bomb blast in Peshawar
(Photo: Reuters)

A suicide bomber blew up his explosives-filled car Saturday at a police checkpoint in the north-western Pakistani city of Peshawar, killing at least 11 people. There are reports that two policemen were among the dead in the city’s second suicide bombing in as many days.

"At least 11 people have been killed and 25 others wounded," Peshawar district administration chief Sahibzada Anis told AFP, adding that the bomber detonated when policemen asked him to stop for a search.

One witness, Akbar Ali, told AFP he was riding a motorcycle and waiting in the queue at the checkpoint when he saw a scuffle between the bomber and the policeman.

"He was a young man, about 20 years old with small beard and wearing a white cap. When I noticed that his body was swollen, I left my bike there and ran away fearing he might be a bomber."

Live television footage showed a huge cloud of smoke above the Pushta Khara neighbourhood, on the outskirts of Peshawar, and the wreckage of several cars.

Peshawar has increasingly become the favoured target for attacks by militants, particularly since the army launched an offensive in October.

Early Friday a suicide attack in Peshawar devastated the three-storey provincial headquarters of the Inter Services Intelligence, which is heavily involved in Pakistan's anti-terror fight.

At least 17 people were killed and 39 others injured in that bombing, officials said. Taliban militants claimed responsibility.