Live: Mardan Blasts Kill 12, Jamaat-ur-Ahrar Warns of More Attacks

The blasts come hours after four militants attacked Christian Colony in Peshawar. (Photo: AP)

• At least 12 are dead and 52 others injured in the twin blasts.
• The attacker detonated a hand grenade and then blew himself up.
• PM Nawaz Sharif issued a statement saying the attack does not shatter Pakistan’s resolve in the war against terror.
• Jamaat-ur-Ahrar, which is linked to Pakistani Taliban, has claimed responsibility for the attack.
• The attack comes hours after a Christian Colony in Peshawar was attacked by the same outfit.

Two bombs killed at least 12 people and wounded 52 outside a court complex in northwest Pakistan on Friday, a rescue official said, hours after militants killed two people in a Christian neighbourhood in the same region.

Both attacks were claimed by Jamaat-ur-Ahrar, a breakaway Pakistani Taliban faction believed to be behind some of the past year’s deadliest attacks, including last month’s bombing of lawyers in the city of Quetta that killed 74 people.

Ehsanullah Ehsan, the spokesperson of Jamaat-ur-Ahrar issued a statement, saying more attacks are to follow.

We appeal to civilians to remain away from law enforcement installations and these un-Islamic courts. We will target them more.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif issued a statement regarding the attack:

(The attack will) not shatter our unflinching resolve in our war against terrorism. These receding elements are showing frustration by attacking our soft targets. They shall not get space to hide in Pakistan.

The attacker first detonated a hand grenade before exploding his suicide vest among the morning crowds at the main gate of the Mardan district courts.

The Mardan Medical Complex. (Photo: Twitter@Hamzakhan00012)

The Mardan Medical Complex. (Photo: Twitter@Hamzakhan00012)

First there was a small blast, followed by a big blast. So far we recovered 12 bodies of the lawyers, police personnel and civilians. Besides this, we rescued 52 injured, including lawyers, police personnel and civilians from the spot.

Haris Habib, Chief Rescue Officer

Also Read: Live: Peshawar’s Christian Colony Attacked, 4 Suicide Bombers Dead