Mohmand Agency bombing
On 9 July 2010, a suicide bombing occurred in a market in Yakaghund, Mohmand Agency, in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan. At least 104 people were killed while more than 120 people were wounded.[1] This was the last of a streak of attacks that was the record most major terrorist attacks (over 40 deaths) in a row in the Pakistan war on terrorism, with least 7 in a row, much more than the previous record of 2 which happened only 2 times; marking an escalating of the War on Terrorism in Pakistan.
| Mohmand Agency bombing | |
|---|---|
| Location | Mohmand Agency, Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Pakistan |
| Date | 9 July 2010 |
Attack type | suicide bomb |
| Weapons | T.N.T. |
| Deaths | 104[1] |
| Injured | at least 120 |
| Motive | Terrorism |
Background
In late 2009 and early 2010, the Pakistani military had been engaged in a campaign to clear militants from the Mohmand Agency and the surrounding area, with the commander of forces in the area claiming that 80 percent of militants had been cleared as of September 2009.[2] The area, which borders Kunar Province, Afghanistan, had been the scene of violence prior to the attack as a result of spillover from neighbouring Afghanistan and other areas of Pakistan.[2]
Attack
At least 104 people were killed and over 120 injured in a bomb blast which left a crater in the road 5 feet (1.5 m) deep.[2][3][4] The target of the attack was believed to be a meeting (jirga) of tribal elders near the local government headquarters.[4] Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the attack.[5] According to a local Taliban spokesman, the meeting was targeted as it was convened to discuss a plan against the Taliban.
The attack was thought to be revenge for an offensive carried out by the Pakistani Army against militants in the tribal area.[6] The blast caused significant damage to the market area, as well as to a local prison, from which several prisoners were able to escape through a wall which was partially destroyed.[2]
Aftermath
The more seriously injured casualties were taken to hospital in Peshawar, the administrative centre of the tribal areas while the less seriously injured were treated in local hospitals.[2] This was the deadliest attack in 2010 in Pakistan up till that time.[2]
See also
References
- "Suicide attacks in Mohmand kill 104; peace jirga main target". 10 July 2010. Retrieved 13 July 2010.
- "Suicide attack in Pakistan tribal village kills dozens". BBC News. BBC. 9 July 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
- "Blast in Pakistan's tribal region kills 56, wounds more than 100". CNN. 9 July 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
- Perlez, Jane (9 July 2010). "Pakistan Bomber Attacks Gathering of Tribal Elders". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
- "Fifty-six killed, over 100 injured in Mohmand attack". Dawn. Karachi: Dawn Group of Newspapers. 9 July 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
- Alex Rodriguez and Zulfiqar Ali (9 July 2010). "Suicide blasts kill more than 55 in Pakistan tribal region". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 July 2010.