2010 Lakki Marwat suicide bombing

{{Pakistan terrorist attacks}}

It was thought that the villagers were targeted because they had formed a pro government militia against the Taliban. In weeks before, militants threatened death to anyone who joined the militia.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/02/world/asia/02pstan.html|title=Heavy Toll at Sports Event in Pakistan After Bomb Blast|last=Khan|first=Ismail|date=1 January 2010|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=1 January 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100104230624/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/02/world/asia/02pstan.html| archive-date= 4 January 2010 | url-status= live}} The bomber drove his Mitsubishi Pajero pickup truck into the middle of the playground, at a busy neighborhood,{{cite news|url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Pakistan-Fans-Killed-In-Suicide-Bomb-Blast-At-Volleyball-Match-In-South-Waziristan/Article/201001115512865?lpos=World_News_Carousel_Region_1&lid=ARTICLE_15512865_Pakistan%3A_Fans_Killed_In_Suicide_Bomb_Blast_At_Volleyball_Match_In_South_Waziristan |title=Bomber Kills 88 At Pakistan Volleyball Game |date=1 January 2010 |publisher=Sky News |access-date=1 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100104112117/http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Pakistan-Fans-Killed-In-Suicide-Bomb-Blast-At-Volleyball-Match-In-South-Waziristan/Article/201001115512865?lpos=World_News_Carousel_Region_1&lid=ARTICLE_15512865_Pakistan%3A_Fans_Killed_In_Suicide_Bomb_Blast_At_Volleyball_Match_In_South_Waziristan |archive-date=4 January 2010 |url-status=live }} while a game between local male{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/01/02/pakistan.attacks/|title=Death toll rises in Pakistan game blast|date=2 January 2010|publisher=CNN|access-date=2 January 2010}} teams was in progress and detonated it.{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/la-fg-pakistan-bombing2-2010jan02,0,5717778.story |title=Pakistan suicide bombing kills at least 75 |author=Mark Magnier |author2=Zulfiqar Ali |date=2 January 2010 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |access-date=2 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100104110331/http://www.latimes.com/news/la-fg-pakistan-bombing2-2010jan02%2C0%2C5717778.story |archive-date=4 January 2010 |url-status=live }} There were up to 400 people present.{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2010-01/02/content_12743143.htm|title=Death toll from Pakistan suicide attack reaches 90|date=2 January 2010|publisher=Xinhua News Agency|access-date=2 January 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100116100001/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2010-01/02/content_12743143.htm| archive-date= 16 January 2010 | url-status= dead}} The bodies of players were thrown through the air by the blast. It was estimated that more than {{convert|600|lbs|kg}} of explosives were used.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/01/01/pakistan.suicide.bomb/|title=Terror attack kills 75 at Pakistan volleyball match|date=1 January 2010|publisher=CNN|access-date=1 January 2010}} Nearly 300 people had been watching the game when the blast happened.{{cite news|title=90 killed in Lakki Marwat bombing|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010\01\02\story_2-1-2010_pg1_1|newspaper=Daily Times|date=2 January 2010|access-date=2 January 2010}}. Among the dead were six children and five paramilitary soldiers.{{cite news|url=http://thenews.jang.com.pk/updates.asp?id=95022|title=Toll in Laki Marwat suicide blast reaches 89|date=2 January 2010|newspaper=The News International|access-date=1 January 2010}}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The remaining fatalities were mostly spectating teenagers. Witnesses said that flames leapt into the sky and there was a bright light before the explosion was heard.

The villagers had formed a 'peace committee' which was holding a meeting in a mosque when the blast occurred. The roof of the mosque caved in but none of the people attending the meeting were seriously injured. More than twenty surrounding houses were destroyed. People became trapped in collapsed buildings.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0101/pakistan.html|title=Up to 88 have died in Pakistan blast|date=1 January 2010|publisher =RTÉ News|access-date=1 January 2010}}{{cite news|url=http://www.euronews.net/2010/01/01/dozens-killed-in-pakistan-suicide-bombing/|title=Dozens killed in Pakistan suicide bombing|date=1 January 2010|publisher=Euronews|access-date=1 January 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100103080249/http://www.euronews.net/2010/01/01/dozens-killed-in-pakistan-suicide-bombing/| archive-date= 3 January 2010 | url-status= live}} In the darkness, vehicle headlights were used to search for victims.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8437114.stm|title=Pakistan suicide bomb kills scores at volleyball match|date=1 January 2010|work=BBC News|access-date=1 January 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100102052041/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8437114.stm| archive-date= 2 January 2010 | url-status= live}} The blast was felt from 11 miles (18 kilometers) away.

By the day after the blast, no group had claimed responsibility for the bombing. According to analysts, this is frequently the case after an attack has killed many civilians.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8437473.stm |title=Pakistan volleyball bomb toll climbs to more than 90 |publisher=BBC |date=2 January 2010 |access-date=2 January 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100103052347/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8437473.stm| archive-date= 3 January 2010 | url-status= live}} Pakistani security analyst retired Lieutenant General Talat Masood stated that attack was most likely carried out in retaliation by Taliban. He said "Definitely these are militant elements from North Waziristan and Taliban who have been very angry because the military had had a successful operation in Lakki Marwat and been able to clean up the place."[http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2010/01/201012121511255970.html Pakistan village mourns bomb deaths], Al Jazeera English, 2 January 2010

The village elders stated after the attack that they would continue opposing the Taliban. The head of the tribal council stated "Such attacks will only strengthen our resolve – being Pashtun, revenge is the only answer to the gruesome killings."[https://www.thestar.com/news/world/pakistan/article/745246--village-bloodied-by-bomb-vows-revenge-on-taliban Village bloodied by bomb vows revenge on Taliban], Toronto Star, 3 January 2010

Altaf Hussain chief of Muttahida Qaumi Movement condemned the blast and called it an attempt to worsen Pakistan's situation further.{{cite news|url=http://thenews.jang.com.pk/updates.asp?id=95012|title=Altaf denounces Laki Marwat bombing|date=1 January 2010|newspaper=The News International|access-date=1 January 2010}}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has announced Rs300,000 (US$3500, €2500) compensation for the family of each deceased and Rs100,000 (US$1200, €800) for each of the injured.{{cite news|title=Eighty eight die in Lakki Marwat blast |newspaper=Dawn |date=2 January 2010 |url=http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/suicide+attack+in+lakki+marwat |access-date=2 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103100715/http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/suicide%2Battack%2Bin%2Blakki%2Bmarwat |archive-date=3 January 2010 |url-status=live }}.

• {{USA}}: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton released a statement: "The United States strongly condemns today's terrorist attack on civilians in Pakistan, and we offer our condolences to the families of the victims and all the people of Pakistan. The Pakistani people have seen terrorists target schools, markets, mosques, and now a volleyball game. The United States will continue to stand with the people of Pakistan in their efforts to chart their own future free from fear and intimidation, and will support their efforts to combat violent extremism and bolster democracy."{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2010/01/134619.htm|title=Terrorist Attack in Pakistan|date=1 January 2010|publisher=U.S. State Department|access-date=2 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106225152/http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2010/01/134619.htm|archive-date=6 January 2010|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2010-01/02/content_12743252.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100123224648/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2010-01/02/content_12743252.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 January 2010|title=Clinton condemns Pakistan blast|date=2 January 2010|publisher=Xinhua News Agency|access-date=2 January 2010}}
• {{EU}}: The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, condemned the attack in a statement: "I am shocked by the news of [the] brutal bomb attack at a sports event in Lakki Marwat that killed and injured a large number of innocent civilians. [...] In this difficult moment, the EU reaffirms its support for the government and the population of Pakistan."{{cite news|url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data/international/2010/January/international_January99.xml§ion=international|title=EU foreign policy chief condemns Pakistan attack|newspaper=Khaleej Times|date=2 January 2010|access-date=2 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608224855/http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data%2Finternational%2F2010%2FJanuary%2Finternational_January99.xml§ion=international|archive-date=8 June 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}
• {{RUS}}: Dmitry Medvedev President of Russia expressed his condolences: "I was shocked to learn about a new crime committed by extremists – a bloody terrorist act during a volleyball game in the town of Lakki Marwat. Pakistan can rely on support from Russia and the entire international community in this fight. We have no doubts that the organizers of such inhuman crimes will surely be found and severely punished."{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2010-01/02/content_12745030.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104162833/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2010-01/02/content_12745030.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 November 2012|title=Medvedev sends condolences to Pakistan over suicide attack|date=2 January 2010|publisher=Xinhua News Agency|access-date=2 January 2010}}
• {{UK}}: The Foreign Office condemned "this horrific attack that has led to the needless loss of so many lives".{{cite web|url=http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=News&id=21512776|title=Explosion at volleyball pitch in Pakistan|date=1 January 2010|publisher=Foreign and Commonwealth Office|access-date=1 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604233212/http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=News&id=21512776|archive-date=4 June 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}
• {{MEX}}: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed strong condemnation for the attack and Mexico's solidarity with the authorities of the country.{{cite news|url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/649154.html|title=Mexico condemns attack in Pakistan|date=2 January 2010|work=El Universal|language=es|access-date=3 January 2010|location=Mexico City|archive-date=6 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606052614/http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/649154.html|url-status=dead}}
• {{CAN}}: The Canadian minister of foreign affairs Lawrence Cannon stated "Canada strongly condemns this cowardly attack on the people of Pakistan. We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those killed and wish a speedy recovery to the injured."[https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/pakistani-tribal-elders-defiant-against-taliban-1.972814 Pakistani tribal elders defiant against Taliban], Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, 3 January 2010

• List of terrorist incidents, 2010
• Terrorist incidents in Pakistan in 2010
• War in North-West Pakistan
• Terrorism in Pakistan
• Sectarian violence in Pakistan
• 2022 Lakki Marwat attack
• 2023 Lakki Marwat terrorist attack

{{Reflist|2}}

• [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8437382.stm Photo gallery of the attack] at BBC.co.uk
• [https://www.wsj.com/video/pakistan-sports-field-blast/24245EEF-D13A-4F88-AD3E-E52D6BF914B7.html Video: Pakistan Blast Leaves 88 Dead]
• [http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2010/01/20101204840411996.html Video: Bomber strikes Pakistan tournament], Al Jazeera English

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lakki Marwat suicide bombing, 2010}}

Category:2010 murders in Pakistan

Category:Suicide bombings in 2010

Category:Terrorist incidents in Pakistan in 2010

Category:Suicide car and truck bombings in Pakistan

Category:Lakki Marwat District

Category:Mass murder in 2010

Category:21st-century mass murder in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

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