Islamabad: The banned Lashkar-e-Islam has
claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on the outskirts
of the north-western Pakistani city of Peshawar that killed
four persons, including a leader of a rival militant group.
Lashkar-e-Islam commander Khan Muhammad told reporters in
Peshawar over phone that his group had sent a suicide bomber
to target Ansar-ul-Islam leader Haji Akhunzada at his home in
Pakha Ghulam area on Monday.
Akhunzada and his son-in-law were among the four persons
killed in the attack. Eight others were injured, police said.
Muhammad claimed Akhunzada was targeted as he was
involved in activities against the Lashkar-e-Islam.
"Our enemies cannot protect themselves from the
Lashkar-e-Islam’s wrath in any part of the country," he said.
The Ansar-ul-Islam was formed to counter the activities
of the Lashkar-e-Islam in Khyber tribal region. The Lashkar is
believed to have links with the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan.
Akhunzada had survived several attacks in the past,
including a suicide bombing in 2009 that killed three persons.
Several of Akhunzada’s relatives too were killed in
attacks blamed on the Lashkar-e-Islam.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, January 31, 2012, 15:01