On 21 January 2017, a bomb was detonated at a vegetable market in Parachinar, in the Kurram Valley of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan. At least 25 people were killed and 87 injured by the explosion.[5][6] Parachinar is the administrative headquarters of the Kurram Agency near the Afghan border.[7] The same area has previously seen several blasts in 2008, February 2012,[8] September 2012,[9] 2013 and in December 2015.[10]
| January 2017 Parachinar bombing | |
|---|---|
  Parachinar Parachinar (Pakistan) | |
| Location | Eidgah market, Parachinar, Pakistan |
| Date | 21 January 2017[1] 08:50 PST |
Attack type | Bombing |
| Weapons | Bomb |
| Deaths | 25[2] |
| Injured | 87[3][4] |
| Perpetrators | Lashkar-e-Jhangvi al-Alami Pakistani Taliban |
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Bajwa visited Parachinar and paid a visit to the injured of the bomb blast in Agency Headquarters Hospital. General Bajwa also announced plans to construct an Army Public School (APS) in Parachinar to support education of the local children.[11][12]
Responsibility
editLashkar-e-Jhangvi al-Alami and the Pakistani Taliban splinter Shehryar Mehsud group both separately issued a joint claim of responsibility.[1][4]
Investigation
editSeven suspects were arrested following a search operation after the blast.[12]
Reactions
edit
Iran - Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi extended his condolences to the Pakistani government, saying that "Terrorism is the most important security problem in the region and the world and has indiscriminately targeted the countries and nations' peace and security, and fighting against it needs synergy in all-out efforts and cooperation of all the regional states and the world community."[13]
Bahrain - Bahrain strongly condemned the bombing, with the Bahrain News Agency quoting: "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its sincerest condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims and wishes the speedy recovery to those injured by this terrorist act that seeks to terrorize and undermine the safety and security of the country. The Ministry affirms the Kingdom of Bahrain's solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in its struggle against terrorism and reiterates its support for all measures to stabilize the country and ensure its safety."[14][15]
Turkey - Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, in a message to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, said Turkey was saddened by the incident and would continue to work with Pakistan to fight terrorism.[15]
United States - US Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale condemned the attack and expressed sympathy for the victims' families.[15]
Saudi Arabia - The Saudi Press Agency quoted an official source at the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs as expressing the Kingdom's condolences to the families of victims and to the government and people of Pakistan, and wishing for a speedy recovery for the injured.[14][15]
See also
edit- March 2017 Parachinar suicide bombing
- June 2017 Pakistan bombings, another terrorist incident in Parachinar
References
edit- ^ a b "Blast kills at least 21 in Pakistan vegetable market, says official". 21 January 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2017 – via Reuters.
- ^ "Over 20 killed in Parachinar vegetable market blast — The Express Tribune". 21 January 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
- ^ "Blast in Parachinar vegetable market kills 20". Dawn. 21 January 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
- ^ a b Afzal, Hussain (2017-01-22). "Carnage at Parachinar market; 25 killed, 87 injured". Dawn. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
- ^ "21 Dead, 54 Injured in Parachinar Blast". Radio Pakistan. January 21, 2017. Archived from the original on January 22, 2017. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
- ^ "News from The Associated Press". Retrieved 21 January 2017.
- ^ Akbar, Ali (January 21, 2017). "Blast in Parachinar vegetable market kills 25". Dawn. Agencies (undefined). Retrieved January 21, 2017.
- ^ "28 killed, 36 injured in Parachinar blast". Express Tribune. February 17, 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
- ^ "14 Shias killed, 80 injured in Parachinar bombing: Officials". Express Tribune. AFP. September 10, 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
- ^ "Parachinar blast kills 25, 54 injured". Daily Times. January 21, 2017. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
- ^ "Parachinar blast: Army chief inquires on health of the injured". Dunya News tv. January 22, 2017. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
- ^ a b Akbar, Ali (January 22, 2017). "Seven suspects arrested in search operation after Parachinar blast". Dawn. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
- ^ "Iran condemns terrorist blast in Pakistan's Parachinar". Tehran Times. January 21, 2017. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
- ^ a b "Vegetable market blast toll rises to 25". Gulf Today. January 23, 2017. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
- ^ a b c d "US, Turkey, KSA & Bahrain condemn Parachinar blast". Business Recorder. January 23, 2017. Retrieved 23 January 2017.[dead link]