Interim KP chief minister constitutes JIT to investigate Peshawar blast

PESHAWAR, Jan 31 (SABAH): Khyber Pakhtunkhwa caretaker Chief Minister Azam Khan has formed a joint investigation team (JIT) to probe the suicide attack that claimed at least 95 lives and left more than 100 people injured in Peshawar.

The announcement was made at a joint press conference by the chief minister and KP Inspector General of Police (IGP) Moazzam Jah Ansari a day after the brazen attack at a mosque in the Peshawar Police Lines which is one of the fortified zones in the provincial capital.

The chief minister confirmed that 95 people had lost their lives, adding that a compensation package was being prepared for the victims of the terrorist attack. He also assured full support to the police chief, adding that the incident was shocking for all of us. 

Speaking on the occasion, the IGP said the JIT would be led by a DIG and it would include officials of other security agencies as well. He vowed that all those found involved in the attack would be taken to the task.

He said investigation was being made into the security lapse as the first question arises in the mind is that how the suicide bomber entered the Police Lines. He said 10-12 kilogram of explosive material was used in the attack. The shockwaves of the blast were so powerful that the roof of the mosque collapsed resulting in more damages.

IGP Ansari said that a banned outfit retracted after claiming responsibility for the attack, adding that a militant organisation Jamaatul Ahraar could be behind the attack.