Taraz suicide bomber consulted Imam prior to attack

Prior to the terrorist attack that killed 7 people in Taraz, suicide bomber talked to Muslim religious leaders about what would happen to him if he blows himself up against infidels, Tengrinews.kz reports citing deputy head of investigation department of Interior Department of Zhambyl oblast Marat Kozhayev. “This version (about involvement in jihadism) appeared when during investigation we received information that living in Kokshetau Kariyev applied to representatives of religious authorities for an explanation of what would be his fate if he blows himself up and kills infidels. This information is being checked,” Kozhayev said. He also noted that Kariyev used a self-made shell-less bomb that was under his clothes in the area of his abdomen. “He was planning a murder of our officers. Instead of running from them, he went towards the police car that followed him and opened fire. Both officers were wounded. Captain Baitassov had a penetrating chest wound. He dived onto the criminal, made him fall down and tried to stop him physically. At that moment the criminal triggered the bomb blowing himself up. Our captain Baitassov was a hero, he was a police squard commander,” deputy head of investigation department said. Besides, it was officially stated at the press-conference in Taraz on November 13 that the criminal was acting alone. Law-enforcement authorities cannot say whether Kariyev had any accomplices. “Nobody can say anything in the beginning of the investigation. We are working on Kariyev's connections, his family, friends, and trying to identify the reasons for suicide bombing,” Kozhayev said. Three police officers have been wounded, two of them are currently in the hospital.