Attack type Suicide bombing Non-fatal injuries 100+ | Deaths 48+ Suspected perpetrators Pakistani Taliban | |
Date 19 August 2011 (2011-08-19) | ||
The August 2011 Khyber Agency bombing occurred on 19 August 2011 in Jamrud, Ghundai within the Khyber Agency of FATA, Pakistan. At least 48 people were reported to have died after a suicide bomber exploded his vest at a mosque during Friday prayers in the month of Ramadan when about 300-500 people were praying; at least 40 others were also wounded.
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Background
Pakistan has faced a renewed insurgency since the death of Osama bin Laden in April 2011, including bold attacks against military targets and the destruction of naval aircraft.
On the same day of the attacks, the United States of America's Central Intelligence Agency's drones killed four people said to be "militants" in the wider tribal area.
Attack
A suicide bomber who was said to have been a teenage boy exploded his vest at a mosque in the Ghundai area of Khyber Agency. The mosque was in an area inhabited by Kokikhel tribes who have been opposed to the Taliban activities and have fought to expel them from the region. Mutahir Zeb, a regional government administrator, said that the attack could have been in retaliation and that "many of the wounded succumbed to their injuries, adding to the toll that may rise further as there are still people in critical condition." Khalid Mumtaz Kundi, the deputy chief of the district administration, said that the suicide bomber was wearing 8–10 kg of explosives and was on foot when he exploded his vest in the prayer hall; he also said that ball bearings were used in the attack. According to Al Jazeera the whole mosque compound collapsed with many more worshippers buried under the rubble.
The wounded were taken via ambulances for treatment to the Khyber Teaching Hospital, Hayatabad Medical Complex and the Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar.
Responsibility
Though no one laid claim to the attack, the Pakistani Taliban were suspected. According to Al Jazeera however, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan's factions said that they do not carry out attacks on mosques.