CHARSADDA / ISLAMABAD: At least six people, including a lawyer were killed and more than 20 others injured as a sessions court in Charsadda was hit by multiple suicide bombers Tuesday morning,

District Nazim Charsadda Fahad Riaz confirmed the casualties.

Attackers attempted to enter the court premises through the main gate, witnesses said, adding they opened fire and also threw hand grenades, prompting retaliatory fire by police and security forces deployed at the court premises. The attackers were killed.

“The explosions took place at the entrance of the sessions court,” said Charsadda DPO Sohail Khalid.

An explosion, witnesses said, took place at the entrance of the court, and one near the bar room. “One of the suicide bombers tried to enter the court, however, was shot dead by security officials.”

“One of the attackers lobbed a hand grenade at the gate of the court and then opened fire,” said Naeem Iqbal, a witness.

“Initial estimates suggest the explosives used in the attack weighed around 9kgs,” Mardan DIG Aijaz Khan told reporters.

The bodies and injured were shifted to Charsadda Tangi Hospital and Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar.

Town resident Mohammad Shah Baz told Reuters he was inside the judicial complex when the suicide bombers stormed it. “I escaped towards the canteen and climbed the wall to save my life. But there were many people dead and injured,” he said.

Army chief lauds security forces

Army chief general Qamar javed Bajwa lauded response by security forces to Charsadda explosions, saying “first tier police response saved many lives.”

Pakistan has been hit by a series of suicide bomb attacks in recent days, claiming more than 100 lives.

At least 88 people were killed when a suicide bomber blew himself up at the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine in Sindh’s Sehwan town last week. In response, Pakistan launched a security crackdown, killing over 100 militants.

TTP-JA claims responsibility

The proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)’s faction Jamaatul Ahrar (JA) claimed responsibility for the attack. “We claim responsibility for the attack, which is part of our Ghazi operation,” the group’s spokesperson Asad Mansoor said in a phone call to the media.