In the ongoing spate of violence in Pakistan’s volatile tribal belt, a powerful bomb blast killed 30 tribesmen including women and children and wounded more than 50 on Tuesday. The incident took place in Jamrud region of Khyber agency, near Pak-Afghan border, when a bomb planted in a Taxi Car went off. The car was parked at a Petrol Station close to a busy bus stop where dwellers often travel to other towns of the Khyber agency. According to local officials the explosive was likely detonated by remote control. The injured were latterly shifted to the Hayatabad Medical Complex in provincial capital, Peshawar.

Photo: EPA

The blast was so powerful that its bang was heard miles away. No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack but local authorities have blamed Pakistani Taliban for this deadly incident.

According to sources, the apparent target was a Zaka Khel sub-clan of Afridi tribe, who has formed an armed Lashkar (anti-Taliban private militia) in remote Tira valley of the region. The bomb exploded when a bus, packed with Zaka Khel tribesmen stopped at the petrol station for filling. Four security personnel also lost their lives in the explosion.

Jamrud has seen number of deadly attacks in the past including an attack in a Mosque during Friday prayer on August 19 last year that killed 52 people.

Violence had been down in recent months which many analysts believe might be a result of purported peace talks between Pakistani Taliban and the government. According to data compiled by the Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), the number of people killed in suicide attacks in Pakistan in the first 11 months of 2011 dropped almost 40 percent compared to the same period last year, deaths from all attacks by militants fell nearly 20 percent.

But violence abruptly flared up with the beginning of New Year. In past few days more than two dozens security personnel have been killed by militants active in Pakistan’s tribal region to avenge the killing of their comrades in the hands of security forces. On Monday, officials in Pakistan’s Orakzai Tribal belt found 10 bullet riddled bodies (while some sources revealed they were beheaded) of Pakistani troops who were kidnapped by the Taliban on December 21 during a military operation. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the killing of the military personnel.

Taliban has already threatened Pakistani government with dire consequences if the government does not meet their demands of releasing some of their members arrested recently.