3 killed in IED blast targetting police van in Mardan

Falak Sher
MARDAN
At least three people were killed and five others injured, including two police constables in an explosion near Jalala Bridge in the Takht Bhai tehsil of Mardan district, police sources and rescue officials said on Friday.
Sources added that an explosive device planted near the Jalala Bridge at Takhatbhai went off. Sources added that as a result three people were killed identified as Sher Aslam, Sami-ur-Rehman residents of district Dir and Waseem resident of Gujar Garhi while five people got injured the injured were identified as constable Bilal, constable Gulab Saeed, 10 year old Lubaba , 7 year old Hashar Khan and wife of Muhammad Ayub.
The injured were shifted to tehsil headquarter (THQ) hospital and Mardan Medical Complex.
Sources added that ASP Hamid Khan was targeted in the blast however he remained safe in the blast. Sources added that the van of ASP and a Changchai rickshaw was partially damaged in the blast. Sources added that the civilians were riding in the Changchai rickshaw while some were passing there. District Police Officer (DPO) Zahoor Babar Afridi and other police officials and bomb- disposal unit rushed to the spot.
The police cordoned off the area and started searching the surrounding area. District Police Officer (DPO) Zahoor Babar Afridi told media that the explosion happened immediately after a police vehicle passed over the bridge, suggesting an attempt to target the police.
It may be noted that several bomb blast and suicide attack incidents were occurred in Mardan district in which several police officers, police cops and civilian were killed and injured. In the past some suspected militants groups also remained active in the district however the security forces along with local police have conducted several operations due to which the militants activities remained reduced in the district.