Asia-Pacific

7 killed in attack on US consulate in Pakistan

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-04-05 16:55

PESHAWAR, Pakistan – Three foreigners were among the seven killed on Monday in a series of bomb blasts targeting the US consulate in northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar, police said.

A group of suicide bombers attacked the American consulate and killed two Pakistani security guards, one policemen, one civilian and three foreigners, police said. But they did not confirm the nationality of the foreigners.

Sources said that at least another four personnel of an American security company, who were guarding the consulate, were also injured.

The outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attacks, saying they will launch more guerrilla wars.

The bombers, who came in two cars near the consulate gate, fired two mortars at the consulate building and fired with automatic guns and then detonated their explosive-packed vehicles.

Witnesses said that the attacks damaged parts of the highly- guarded American consulate in Peshawar, the capital of North West Frontier Province (NWFP).

The US embassy spokesman in Islamabad said that the American consulate came under attack but said he has not received complete information so far.

Senior NWFP Minister Bashir Bilour said that a policeman and a security personnel from the Frontier Constabulary were killed in the attack. He said bodies of four attackers were also found. He said two suicide jackets were also recovered.

The army spokesman said two other attackers were killed and the whole area was clear.

Doctors said that the 11 injured were shifted to the city's Lady Reading Hospital ?while several injured were taken to the army's hospital. The journalists were not allowed to go into the army's hospital.

The American consulate, situated in the cantonment area, is heavily guarded by the Frontier Constabulary.

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has strongly condemned the Peshawar ?blasts and ordered for providing special medical facilities to the injured, his office said.

TV footage showed a big blast near a roadside shop, sending thick smoke in the air. Witnesses said they saw a car exploded with a huge blast.

Officials said that the attackers first fired at an armored vehicle car of the security forces at the gate of the consulate. Police and other guards opened fire on the bomber.

An army helicopter was seen flying in the area to check if any attack was hiding in the area. The security forces made announcements, asking the people to stay way from the blast sites in fear of more blasts.

The blasts smashed windows of houses and offices in the area, witnesses said.

The NWFP Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain blamed the militants for the attacks and said that they have faced a defeat in the Swat valley and Waziristan tribal region and now began killing innocent people in cities.