5 killed in suicide attack in northwest Pakistan

A Muhammad

Peshawar, Jan 31 (PTI) A suicide bomber today struck apolice vehicle in this northwestern Pakistani city, killingfive persons, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police, andinjuring 15 others, officials said.

The bomber struck DSP Abdur Rashid Khan''s vehicle atan intersection on the busy Ring Road here this morning.

The police officer, two bodyguards, a driver andanother person in a car parked near the site of the blast werekilled, officials said.

Officials at the Lady Reading Hospital said they hadreceived 15 injured people.

The condition of two of the injured was described asserious. The bomber was waiting at the intersection.

The DSP was on his way to office when the bomberstruck, police said.

No group claimed responsibility for the attack.

DSP Khan had survived two attempts on his life in theGulbahar area of Peshawar last year.

Additional Inspector General Shafqat Malik of the bombdisposal squad said police had found the head and body partsof the bomber as well as the triggering mechanism of thesuicide vest.

About seven kilograms of high explosives were used inthe attack, he said.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Senior Minister Bashir Bilour, asenior leader of the Awami National Party that rules theprovince, said the government''s drive against militants willcontinue despite such attacks.

"We are ready to die, we are prepared to sacrificeour lives to defend Pakistan," he told the media at the siteof the attack.

Bilour ruled out the possibility of holding talkswith militants who did not lay down their arms.

Provincial Information Minister Mian Iftikhar toocondemned the attack and described it as an act of cowardice.