Habib Raza who is from the city tweeted the following image
“picture from NADRA office Mardan”
Ehsanullah Ehsan the spokesperson for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Taliban Jamaat ul Ahrar (TTP JA) claimed responsibility for an attack on the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) office on Nisatta Road in Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa part of what TTPJA termed the “heathen Pakistan state”. The city is located 30 miles (50km) north-west of Peshawar. Ehsan said, “NADRA is an important part of the war all institutions that are part of the war it will be targeted. In Sha Allah.”
According to DAWN media, a person on a motorcycle detonated an explosive vest after trying to gain entry to the site by ramming a gate. A security guard blocked the attacker from entering the premises. Zeeshan Hoti, President at Provincial Youth Assembly KP posted on Twitter that the death toll had risen to 28 (unconfirmed) with 86 injured, 55 in a critical condition. Mardan police Deputy Inspector General Saeed Wazie told BBC Urdu’s Adil Shahzeb, “if the attacker had not been stopped at the office’s gate, the death toll would be significantly higher.” Cyber journalist Khalid Khan alleged a “minor child” was amongst those injured.
Security guard Pervaiz who sacrificed his life while stopping suicide attacker at main gate (Image via Dunya)
Image shows a destroyed motorcycle near Nadra office that was used by a suicide bomber (Image via Dunya News)
“Head of suspected suicide bomber at Mardan blast site, in NADRA office”
(Image via Khalid Khan, cyber journalist)
Back in November 2014 TTP JA claimed responsibility for a devastating attack on the border post of Wagah in east Pakistan. Over 60 people were killed, 110 injured when a suicide bomber detonated his explosives following a flag lowering ceremony on the outskirts of Lahore. At that time Ehsan said, “this is message for the governments of both sides of the border, if we can attack on one side, we can also attack on other side (India)” see following link,
“Pakistan Taliban TTP JA claim responsibility for Wagah attack and warn of more to come”
Islamuddin Sajid tweeted on today’s incident from his home city saying,
Mardan in Red Lines. My city on fire.
Meena Gabeena tweeted the image above…
Mardan, 😦 murderers of youth … It’s a sad sad day yet again for Pakistan
Abdul Majeed Khan commented,
The sacrifice rendered by the 2 security guards is unprecedented. Their families need to be amply compensated. #MardanBlast
The above image (via Laila Bhutto) shows Senator Khanzada Khan, President PPP Khyber Pukhtunkhwa at Mardan hospital visiting one of those wounded
MPA Ubaid Khan Mayar strongly condemned the attack and visited hospitals after Mardan blast at NADRA Office (image via PTI official Mardan)
DAWN reported,
“earlier in December, a search and strike operation was launched in Mardan, resulting in the arrest of about 327 suspected persons, including 16 illegally staying Afghan nationals, and persons involved in various crimes.
Mardan District Police Officer Faisal Shehzad, talking to media persons, had disclosed that the search and strike operation was carried out in Par Hoti, Bashkhali, Gujraat, Iranabad, Chora, Bhaijan, Surakh Dheray, Katakhet, Barikab, Galyara and localities adjoining the city.”
Comments on the attack
Govt of the Punjab
CM Punjab Shehbaz Sharif has condemned the incident of blast near NADRA office and expressed profound sorrow over loss of 22 lives.
US Embassy in Islamabad
we strongly condemn today’s outrageous attack outside the NADRA office in Mardan. Condolences to the families.
Imran Khan,
Opening of SKMTH Pesh happiest day of my life in 2015.Sadly happiness marred by condemnable Mardan blast outside NADRA killing innocent ppl
PTI Official stated, “Chairman Imran Khan condemns and demands a comprehensive investigation and punishment for the perpetrators of the heinous Mardan attack and instructs provincial govt to take utmost care of the injured ones.”
Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad . She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.
Carol Anne Grayson (Radical Sister) blog 