Peshawar bazaar shut after bombing threat

PESHAWAR: The historic Qissa Khwani bazaar and nearby trade centres were closed and security outside mosques in the city was tightened for Friday prayers following intelligence reports that suicide bombers had been tasked to carry out attacks on places of worship.

The roads around important mosques in cantonment and city areas were barricaded and traffic was diverted to other routes for the prayers time. No one was allowed to park vehicles near the mosques, especially those near government offices. Guards were deployed outside the mosques to check every suspicious person.

“We have received tip-off that a suicide bomber has been assigned to carry out attack on worship places during the Friday prayers,” a police official, pleading anonymity, said.He added that initially there were reports that the attackers may be on motorbike, but later the reports suggested he would be using a car.

Heavy police contingents blocked the main Qissa Khwani Road by placing barbed wire outside the Khan Raziq Shaheed police station.Also, barriers were erected near Qasim Ali Khan mosque in Misgaran Bazaar to block the route from Chowk Yadgar side for the Friday prayers. The movement of vehicles into the area was banned after shopkeepers, vendors and customers moved out of the area. Apart from the main Qissa Khwani Bazaar, the Kabari Bazaar, Mohalla Jhangi, Jehangirpura, Dalgaran, Misgaran and parts of Koochi bazaar also remained closed for three hours.

“After every blast, hoax or tip-off, clients avoid visiting bazaars for several days. The trend has ruined not only our business, but of thousands of others having shops in Qissa Khwani and nearby markets,” said Abdul Majid, president of the plastic market, Muhammad Ali Johar road on the back of Qissa Khwani.