Additional Inspector General of police, Ashraf Noor, his gunman were martyred and six police personnel were injured in a suicide blast here at Hayatabad on Friday, Peshawar.
City Police Chief, Tahir Khan, while taling to media said Additional IGP Ashraf Noor was on his way to office from his residence in Hayatabad area when the bomber riding a bike hit his vehicle near Al-Zarghuni mosque . Ashraf Noor and his gunman died on the spot while six cops escorting the vehicle sustained injuries.
Eight others in the AIG’s squad were injured as a result of the blast. They were taken to Hayatabad Medical Complex for treatment, CCPO Tahir Khan told reporters.
AIG Ashraf Noor hailed from Gilgit Baltistan and joined the police force in 1989. He previously served as AIG Elite Force Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The site of the blast was cordoned off as security forces conducted a search operation in the area and attempted to gather evidence.
According to initial reports around 15-20 kilograms of explosives were used in the Peshawar suicide blast, Bomb Disposal Unit squad officials said after inspecting the site.
At least two vehicles were damaged in the attack, they said.
President Mamnoon Hussain on Friday expressed deep grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of Additional Inspector General Muhammad Ashraf Noor and his driver in a suicide blast in Peshawar.
The President said officers and Jawans had rendered great sacrifices for the security of the country and the people, according to a statement from the President House issued here.
He also extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for salvation of the departed souls.
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi expressed his condolences with the families of those affected by the blast, saying that terror attacks will not weaken the determination of the nation and law enforcement agencies.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa saluted the supreme sacrifice of AIG Ashraf Noor, DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor tweeted.
“Salute to supreme sacrifice of our Police comrade AIG Noor. Our determination remains undeterred against threats to our motherland” COAS. pic.twitter.com/CQOZPzcmIs
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) November 24, 2017
“Our determination remains undeterred against threats to our motherland,” the tweet quoted the army chief as saying. (PhotoNews / APP)
