At least 13 civilians were killed in a suicide bomb attack near the entrance to a court in Pakistan's Mardan district on Friday, Dawn reported. Local authorities said more than 41 people were injured in the attack after a militant detonated a suicide jacket and a hand grenade simultaneously. The attack was carried out only hours after four suicide bombers launched an attack in Peshawar's Christian Colony. At least five people, including one civilian and the four militants were killed in the incident.
Director General Inter-Services Public Relations Asim Bajwa confirmed the Peshawar incident and said that "all four suicide bombers were killed" in the exchange of fire that ensued. He said the security agencies are conducting a clearance operation in the area.
According to the local media report, two attackers were killed when they detonated their suicide jackets, and two others were killed by security personnel. The attack has not been claimed by a terror organisation.
This comes only a day after Pakistan admitted for the first time that the Islamic State group has a presence in the country. However, Bajwa had said on Thursday that the Nawaz Sharif government has successfully contained the terror outfit's plans of expansion.
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