ID :
23062
Tue, 10/07/2008 - 10:28
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/23062
The shortlink copeid
23 killed in suicide blast at Pakistan MP's house
Islamabad, Oct 6 (PTI) At least 23 people were killed Monday and 60 others injured, including a prominent opposition Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) parliamentarian when a suicide bomber struck at his home 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.
Nawani was injured in the attack and rushed to a
hospital, where channels said his condition was serious.
Though TV channels reported that 23 people were
killed, the interior ministry confirmed 20 deaths. The death
toll could rise as many of the injured are in critical
condition, witnesses said.
Punjab's Inspector General of Police Shaukat Javed
said the head of the suicide bomber had been found.
Nawani's residence was sealed off by policemen and
investigators scoured the site of the blast for clues. Police
officials said the bomber's jacket, with an Afghan currency
note inside it, had been recovered.
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.
Media reports said that the lawmaker was embracing
people and wishing them Eid greetings when the blast occurred.
Soon after the attack, interior ministry chief Rehman
Malik chaired a meeting of senior officials to review the
security situation across the country.
The interior ministry directed provincial police
chiefs and security agencies to step up security for political
and religious leaders, particularly federal ministers and
members of parliament and provincial assemblies.
Parliamentarians and religious leaders were asked by
the interior ministry to restrict their movements. Security
was also stepped up at important buildings across Pakistan.
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.
Nawani was injured in the attack and rushed to a
hospital, where channels said his condition was serious.
Though TV channels reported that 23 people were
killed, the interior ministry confirmed 20 deaths. The death
toll could rise as many of the injured are in critical
condition, witnesses said.
Punjab's Inspector General of Police Shaukat Javed
said the head of the suicide bomber had been found.
Nawani's residence was sealed off by policemen and
investigators scoured the site of the blast for clues. Police
officials said the bomber's jacket, with an Afghan currency
note inside it, had been recovered.
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.
Media reports said that the lawmaker was embracing
people and wishing them Eid greetings when the blast occurred.
Soon after the attack, interior ministry chief Rehman
Malik chaired a meeting of senior officials to review the
security situation across the country.
The interior ministry directed provincial police
chiefs and security agencies to step up security for political
and religious leaders, particularly federal ministers and
members of parliament and provincial assemblies.
Parliamentarians and religious leaders were asked by
the interior ministry to restrict their movements. Security
was also stepped up at important buildings across Pakistan.
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
