Pikit PNPand Suspected bombers in premature blast terror group recruits

PIKIT, North Cotabato - Police authorities here believed the two suspected bomb courier killed during premature explosion of the improvised bomb while in transit were recruits of international terrorists, a police official said.Senior Inspector Sindatu Karim, Pikit police chief, said Asraf Mohammad and Jomar Palaguyan, both of Pikit, were students of Malaysian bomber Zulkifli Bi Hir alias Marwan and Abdul Bassit Usman.The two were blasted to death Tuesday night while on board a Baja motorcycle along Manuel Quezon Avenue in Poblacion Pikit.Witnesses said Asraf, 28 was driving the motorbike and Palaguyan, 29was carrying a box he placed on his lap and in between him and the motorbike driver when it suddenly exploded at 6:20 p.m., throwing the duo off the motorcycle. I was shocked seeing mangled body, said Eleuterio, 34, who was on his way to the convenience store when the blast happened. I felt strong wind coming to me right after the blast, he said.Karim said bomb experts recovered fragments of 60 mm mortar with mobile phone as trigger mechanism at the blast site.Karim also said the incident was related to the death of suspected bomber during anti-drug buy bust operations two weeks ago.Police remained on heightened alert here as more cops were deployed at the town public market.