Targeted operation likely in Peshawar: Police chief

A day after a devastating car bomb attack in a busy market killed over 40 people, a top Pakistani police official today indicated targeted operations could be launched to prevent more incidents of terrorism.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police chief Nasir Durrani said the provincial government has been asked to provide more officials for the bomb disposal unit and more sniffer dogs.
Talking to reporters at the site of yesterday's bomb attack in Qissa Khwani Bazar, he said public places were soft target for terrorists.
Police is framing a new security strategy in collaboration with traders' unions and the public to avert incidents like the attacks on Qissa Khwani Bazar and All Saints Church.

Public policing can help curb terrorism and other crimes and measures are being taking to encourage public policing to keep an eye on suspicious activities and persons, he said.
Durrani requested the public to always be alert and inform police immediately in case of any suspicious activities around them.

"If someone informs police regarding any terrorist group or individual, he will be given full security cover and an award and his name will be kept secret," he said.
Talking about the attack in Qissa Khwani Bazar, he said it would be premature to determine who was behind the heinous act as an investigation was still underway.

The explosive material used in the attack was of "local quality".