2010 Lakki Marwat suicide bombing

The 2010 Lakki Marwat suicide bombing occurred on 1 January 2010, in the village of Shah Hassan Khel, Lakki Marwat District, in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.[4] At least 105 people died and over 100 were injured, many of them critically, when the suicide bomber blew up his sport utility vehicle filled with explosives in the middle of a crowd that had gathered to watch a volleyball game.[1][2][3]

Lakki Marwat suicide bombing
LocationShah Hassan Khel, Lakki Marwat District, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Coordinates32°25′52″N 70°58′2″E
DateJanuary 1, 2010 (2010-01-01)
Attack type
suicide bomb
Weaponsunknown explosives
Deaths105[1][2]
Injured+100[3]
MotiveTerrorism

Attack

It was thought that the villagers were targeted because they had formed a pro government militia against the Taliban. In weeks before, militants threatened death to anyone who joined the militia.[5] The bomber drove his Mitsubishi Pajero pickup truck into the middle of the playground, at a busy neighborhood,[6] while a game between local male[7] teams was in progress and detonated it.[8] There were up to 400 people present.[9] The bodies of players were thrown through the air by the blast.[3] It was estimated that more than 600 pounds (270 kg) of explosives were used.[10] Nearly 300 people had been watching the game when the blast happened.[11] Among the dead were six children and five paramilitary soldiers.[12] The remaining fatalities were mostly spectating teenagers.[7] Witnesses said that flames leapt into the sky and there was a bright light before the explosion was heard.[3]

The villagers had formed a 'peace committee' which was holding a meeting in a mosque when the blast occurred. The roof of the mosque caved in but none of the people attending the meeting were seriously injured.[5] More than twenty surrounding houses were destroyed.[3] People became trapped in collapsed buildings.[13][14] In the darkness, vehicle headlights were used to search for victims.[15] The blast was felt from 11 miles (18 kilometers) away.[7]

By the day after the blast, no group had claimed responsibility for the bombing. According to analysts, this is frequently the case after an attack has killed many civilians.[16] Pakistani security analyst retired Lieutenant General Talat Masood stated that attack was most likely carried out in retaliation by Taliban. He said "Definitely these are militant elements from North Waziristan and Taliban who have been very angry because the military had had a successful operation in Lakki Marwat and been able to clean up the place."[17]

Reactions

The village elders stated after the attack that they would continue opposing the Taliban. The head of the tribal council stated "Such attacks will only strengthen our resolve – being Pashtun, revenge is the only answer to the gruesome killings."[18]

Altaf Hussain chief of Muttahida Qaumi Movement condemned the blast and called it an attempt to worsen Pakistan's situation further.[19] The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has announced Rs300,000 (US$3500, €2500) compensation for the family of each deceased and Rs100,000 (US$1200, €800) for each of the injured.[20]

International reactions
  •  United States: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton released a statement: "The United States strongly condemns today's terrorist attack on civilians in Pakistan, and we offer our condolences to the families of the victims and all the people of Pakistan. The Pakistani people have seen terrorists target schools, markets, mosques, and now a volleyball game. The United States will continue to stand with the people of Pakistan in their efforts to chart their own future free from fear and intimidation, and will support their efforts to combat violent extremism and bolster democracy."[21][22]
  •  European Union: The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, condemned the attack in a statement: "I am shocked by the news of [the] brutal bomb attack at a sports event in Lakki Marwat that killed and injured a large number of innocent civilians. [...] In this difficult moment, the EU reaffirms its support for the government and the population of Pakistan."[23]
  •  Russia: Dmitry Medvedev President of Russia expressed his condolences: "I was shocked to learn about a new crime committed by extremists – a bloody terrorist act during a volleyball game in the town of Lakki Marwat. Pakistan can rely on support from Russia and the entire international community in this fight. We have no doubts that the organizers of such inhuman crimes will surely be found and severely punished."[24]
  •  United Kingdom: The Foreign Office condemned "this horrific attack that has led to the needless loss of so many lives".[25]
  •  Mexico: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed strong condemnation for the attack and Mexico's solidarity with the authorities of the country.[26]
  •  Canada: The Canadian minister of foreign affairs Lawrence Cannon stated "Canada strongly condemns this cowardly attack on the people of Pakistan. We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those killed and wish a speedy recovery to the injured."[27]

See also

References
  1. Lakki blast death toll hits 105, The News International, 3 January 2010
  2. Marwat, Ghulam Mursalin (2 January 2010). "Bomber rams car into volleyball venue". The Nation. Archived from the original on 3 January 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  3. Hussain, Zahid (1 January 2010). "Slaughter on the volleyball field as Taleban wreak revenge on villagers". The Times. Archived from the original on 7 January 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
  4. "Death toll in Laki Marwat blast climbs to 47". Geo TV. 1 January 2010. Archived from the original on 3 January 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
  5. Khan, Ismail (1 January 2010). "Heavy Toll at Sports Event in Pakistan After Bomb Blast". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 4 January 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
  6. "Bomber Kills 88 At Pakistan Volleyball Game". Sky News. 1 January 2010. Archived from the original on 4 January 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
  7. "Death toll rises in Pakistan game blast". CNN. 2 January 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  8. Mark Magnier; Zulfiqar Ali (2 January 2010). "Pakistan suicide bombing kills at least 75". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 4 January 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  9. "Death toll from Pakistan suicide attack reaches 90". Xinhua News Agency. 2 January 2010. Archived from the original on 16 January 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  10. "Terror attack kills 75 at Pakistan volleyball match". CNN. 1 January 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
  11. "90 killed in Lakki Marwat bombing". Daily Times. 2 January 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2010..
  12. "Toll in Laki Marwat suicide blast reaches 89". The News International. 2 January 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
  13. "Up to 88 have died in Pakistan blast". RTÉ News. 1 January 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
  14. "Dozens killed in Pakistan suicide bombing". Euronews. 1 January 2010. Archived from the original on 3 January 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
  15. "Pakistan suicide bomb kills scores at volleyball match". BBC News. 1 January 2010. Archived from the original on 2 January 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
  16. "Pakistan volleyball bomb toll climbs to more than 90". BBC. 2 January 2010. Archived from the original on 3 January 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  17. Pakistan village mourns bomb deaths, Al Jazeera English, 2 January 2010
  18. Village bloodied by bomb vows revenge on Taliban, Toronto Star, 3 January 2010
  19. "Altaf denounces Laki Marwat bombing". The News International. 1 January 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
  20. "Eighty eight die in Lakki Marwat blast". Dawn. 2 January 2010. Archived from the original on 3 January 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2010..
  21. "Terrorist Attack in Pakistan". U.S. State Department. 1 January 2010. Archived from the original on 6 January 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  22. "Clinton condemns Pakistan blast". Xinhua News Agency. 2 January 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  23. "EU foreign policy chief condemns Pakistan attack". Khaleej Times. 2 January 2010. Archived from the original on 8 June 2011. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  24. "Medvedev sends condolences to Pakistan over suicide attack". Xinhua News Agency. 2 January 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  25. "Explosion at volleyball pitch in Pakistan". Foreign and Commonwealth Office. 1 January 2010. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
  26. "Mexico condemns attack in Pakistan". El Universal (in Spanish). Mexico City. 2 January 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  27. Pakistani tribal elders defiant against Taliban, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, 3 January 2010
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