By Afshain Afzal

Few hours ahead of Jumma congragation, in a big bag a passenger-cab exploded near Street 31 of Sector I-10/4 in Islamabad. Resultantly, two persons including the cab-driver and a Head Police Constable identified as Adeel Hussain were killed. Doctors at a Government Hospital in Islamabad said they had received 10 injured, including six civilians and four policemen, some in critical condition.

Deputy Inspector General Police, Sohail  Zafar  Chattha said in a statement that a woman was accompanying the bomber, however, it has been confirmed as neither any woman was present in the Taxi when exploded nor any body part of women was recovered from the site of explosion. However, a witness said thet one woman in early 40s was crying at the site of explosion and probably she was the passenger in the exploded cab. Police is claiming that the vehicle was rented by the bomber while investigation agencies have tracked down the son of the person driving the vehicle and have reached the family.

As usual, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility of the explosion and termed it as attack. And the Police was quick enough to reveal that yellow taxi of 1989 model, and was registered in Lahore with number LEI 7793. It was last registered to a resident of Chakwal named Sajid. One wonders when the chassis and engine of the Cab was totally destroyed how the registration plate remained unaffected.

There are many missing links which require detail investigation. According to Police both the Taxi driver and the accompanying woman were dismounted from vehicle and thoroughly body searched but noting objectionable was found. In such a case why the cab driver was allowed to sit inside the cab and switch on the ignition? There are speculations that the explosion took place as the gas cylinder on the back of taxi exploded. Another version blame Police for harassment and planned move to build cases of terrorism in Islamabad and Chakwal. The video clip showing yellow cab moving in speed and trying to overtake a white security single cabin loader.  The same single cabin without rear glass, covered with brown Tarpal was seen at the sight of explosion.  Another Single cabin bearing registration SF 798 was seen coming from opposite direction.

If we recall, thirteen persons including Rangers and Pakistan Army personnel were killed as a result of a gas cylinder explosion in Balochistan’s Lasbela area on 19 December 2022. At least 20 persons injured were rushed for treatment at the Burns Ward of Dr Ruth KM Pfau and Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC).

Last week, state media claimed that the terrorists of banned TTP had taken hostage at Counter Terrorism Department ( C T D ) c e n t r e in Bannu. Official statement later confirmed that all the terrorists were killed in the successful operation and got all the hostages released detained in the CTD compound in Bannu by the terrorists. As per the details revealed by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) there were 33 arrested terrorists inside the compound and one of them overpowered a man stationed at the centre. He then snatched his weapon and later the terrorists took over the centre. The later ISPR added that at least 25 terrorists were killed during the operation while seven others surrendered while three were arrested by the security forces. However, it is too early to say what happened and how it happened. There is no doubt that terrorist do exist in this country but often a story is built to shift the onus of crimes on innocent person. It is high time to carryout honest investigation and if confirmed there should be no pardon.