ID :
23004
Tue, 10/07/2008 - 09:23
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/23004
The shortlink copeid
17 killed in suicide blast at Pakistan MP's house
Islamabad, Oct 6 (PTI) In a sudden upsurge in militant attacks, at least 17 people were killed Monday and 60 injured as a suspected suicide bomber struck at the home of a prominent Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) parliamentarian in Pakistan's heartland of Punjab province.
The bomber blew himself up at the residence of
P.M.L.-N. leader Rasheed Akbar Nawani, a prominent politician
of Bhakkar district and a member of the National Assembly,
almost destroying his home and shaking the entire area sending
his panicked neighbours and shopkeepers scurrying for safety.
Though TV channels reported that between 15 to 20
people were killed, Punjab's Inspector General of Police
Shaukat Javed confirmed 12 deaths.
Nawani was injured in the attack and rushed to a
hospital, where channels said his condition was serious.
Over 200 people had gathered at Nawani's home to
exchange Eid greetings at the time of the attack. Though
special security arrangements were made at the lawmaker's
residence, the bomber managed to sneak inside and detonate
his explosives, police officials said.
Nawani is a Shia and reports suggested that the attack
might have been carried out by rival sectarian groups.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack,
which was condemned by President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime
Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and P.M.L.-N. chief Nawaz Sharif.
Nawani's residence was sealed off by policemen and
investigators scoured the site of the blast for clues. Police
officials said they had found parts of the body of the suicide
bomber and these would be sent for D.N.A. tests to establish
his identity.
Media reports said that the lawmaker was embracing
people and wishing them Eid greetings when the blast occurred.
According to the eyewitnesses, at least 30 people
injured in blasts were in critical conditions. Parts of human
bodies were seen scattered in three rooms of the house and in
open areas outside.
The attack on the lawmaker comes even as suspected
Taliban militants fired rockets at the house of North West
Frontier Province Chief Minister Amir Haider Hoti in his
hometown Mardan.
Hoti, however, escaped as he was in Peshawar at the
time of attack.
In a related incident, the authorities for security
reasons have moved the Awami National Party chief and chairman
designate of the Senate Asfandyar Wali Khan to the
Presidential Palace.
Khan escaped a suicide bomb attack at his house in
Charsadda in N.W.F.P. last week in which four people were
killed. PTI RHL
The bomber blew himself up at the residence of
P.M.L.-N. leader Rasheed Akbar Nawani, a prominent politician
of Bhakkar district and a member of the National Assembly,
almost destroying his home and shaking the entire area sending
his panicked neighbours and shopkeepers scurrying for safety.
Though TV channels reported that between 15 to 20
people were killed, Punjab's Inspector General of Police
Shaukat Javed confirmed 12 deaths.
Nawani was injured in the attack and rushed to a
hospital, where channels said his condition was serious.
Over 200 people had gathered at Nawani's home to
exchange Eid greetings at the time of the attack. Though
special security arrangements were made at the lawmaker's
residence, the bomber managed to sneak inside and detonate
his explosives, police officials said.
Nawani is a Shia and reports suggested that the attack
might have been carried out by rival sectarian groups.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack,
which was condemned by President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime
Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and P.M.L.-N. chief Nawaz Sharif.
Nawani's residence was sealed off by policemen and
investigators scoured the site of the blast for clues. Police
officials said they had found parts of the body of the suicide
bomber and these would be sent for D.N.A. tests to establish
his identity.
Media reports said that the lawmaker was embracing
people and wishing them Eid greetings when the blast occurred.
According to the eyewitnesses, at least 30 people
injured in blasts were in critical conditions. Parts of human
bodies were seen scattered in three rooms of the house and in
open areas outside.
The attack on the lawmaker comes even as suspected
Taliban militants fired rockets at the house of North West
Frontier Province Chief Minister Amir Haider Hoti in his
hometown Mardan.
Hoti, however, escaped as he was in Peshawar at the
time of attack.
In a related incident, the authorities for security
reasons have moved the Awami National Party chief and chairman
designate of the Senate Asfandyar Wali Khan to the
Presidential Palace.
Khan escaped a suicide bomb attack at his house in
Charsadda in N.W.F.P. last week in which four people were
killed. PTI RHL
