The 2011 Faisalabad bombing occurred on 8 March 2011.[1] At least 25 people were killed and over 127 wounded when a car bombing occurred in a compressed natural gas station in Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.[2] Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the explosion.[3]
| 2011 Faisalabad bombing | |
|---|---|
| Part of Islamic Terrorism | |
| Location | Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Date | 8 March 2011 |
Attack type | Car bombing |
| Weapons | Car bomb |
| Deaths | 25+ |
| Injured | 127+ |
| Perpetrators | Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan |
Background edit
Faisalabad is the third-largest city in Pakistan and an important industrial hub of Punjab province; the attack was the first of its kind in the area, which usually remained safe from terrorist incidents.[4] Many textile companies are based in Faisalabad.[5] Pro-Taliban militant groups had been gaining strength in the area, which had previously witnessed sectarian violence.[6]
Attack edit
The car bomb exploded at a compressed natural gas station at about 10:30 am, leaving a 7-foot deep by 15-foot wide crater.[1] According to local officials a Toyota Corolla packed with 40 kilograms of explosives was used in the attack.[7]
The vicinity in which the attack took place was a sensitive area, surrounded by Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and military offices. A Pakistan International Airlines building and an ISI building were damaged in the bombing.[2] The bomb caused several gas cylinders to explode and damaged several vehicles and buildings.[6]
The gas station was reduced to a pile of bricks and twisted metal. Rescue officials used heavy machinery and cranes to remove rubble from the scene to search for survivors.[2] Among the dead were an ISI officer and a schoolteacher.[8]
Responsibility edit
A spokesman for Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan stated that the bombing, which targeted an ISI building, was in retaliation for the killing of Omar Kundi, a Taliban commander, by special forces in Faisalabad in 2010.[3]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b Masood, Salman (8 March 2011). "Car Bomb Kills at Least 24 Near Spy Agency in Pakistan". The New York Times. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
- ^ a b c "Blast in Faisalabad CNG station, 25 dead". The Express Tribune. 8 March 2011. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
- ^ a b Ahmed, Munir (8 March 2011). "Taliban car bombing kills 20 in east Pakistan". Associated Press. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
- ^ "25 dead in fresh terrorist activity in Faisalabad". 8 March 2011.
- ^ "Taliban Car Bombing Kills 24 in Pakistan". Voice of America. 8 March 2011. Archived from the original on 9 March 2011. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
- ^ a b "'At least 20 dead' in car bomb in Faisalabad, Pakistan". BBC. 8 March 2011. Archived from the original on 9 March 2011. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
- ^ "25 killed in petrol station car bombing". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 8 March 2011. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
- ^ Desta, Samson (8 March 2011). "Taliban claims responsibility for deadly attack". CNN. Retrieved 8 March 2011.