20 martyred, 30 injured in security forces convoy blast

BANNU: At least 20 law enforcers were martyred while another 30 were injured when an explosion ripped through one of the vehicles part of the security-forces convoy on Sunday morning.

ISPR has confirmed the death toll.

Sources add, that the explosives were planted in the private vehicle hired by the FC. The bomb detonated around 8.45 A.M on Sunday, when the convoy carrying fresh troops and logistics to North Waziristan was assembling at, Razmak Gate on Bannu Miranshah Road.

Security forces convoys move up and down Miranshah in North Waziristan from here every Saturday/Sunday after imposing curfew in the area, and this movement is dubbed, road operational deployment.

Private vehicles are regularly hired for this purpose. FC men on-board the ill-fated vehicle bore the main brunt of the explosion, sources said.

Security forces cordoned off the area, while rescue and relief operations continued. The injured were shifted to the Combined Military Hospital for medical aid.

Sources further add, that security forces have started investigations to ascertain who hired the particular private vehicle and from whom. Some 40 drivers of the private vehicles were also taken into custody immediately after the incident for interrogation.

Meanwhile, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan has accepted the responsibility of the blast.