PESHAWAR: Rubbishing circulating intelligence reports, Senior Superintendent Police Operations Abbas Majeed Marwat on Sunday denied that Qari Salahuddin, who was apparently targeted by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) earlier today, is a leader of the Kashmir-based Jamatud Dawa.

Police cordoned off the blast site. ─ DawnNews

Salahuddin is an Afghan national who teaches at a local seminary, the SSP said, echoing DSP Khalid's earlier claim of the same.

Earlier in the day, an IED had detonated near Salahuddin's vehicle, injuring him and his driver-cum-guard, Abdul Shakoor, and a passerby, Deputy Superintendent Police Khalid said.

The remote-controlled bomb contained three kilograms of explosive material, Bomb Disposal Squad officials said.

Television footage showed a badly damaged car at the site of the explosion, which was cordoned off as an investigation was initiated into the attack.

Intelligence sources had claimed the IED targeted Qari Salahuddin – actually Syed Salahuddin – a freedom fighter and leader of Kashmir-based Jamatud Dawa.