Suicide attacks kill senior anti-Taliban religious scholar

Islamabad, June 14, IRNA -- A senior anti-Taliban religious scholar and seven other people were killed in two suicide attacks in Pakistan on Friday, police and witnesses said.

Maulana Sarfaraz Naeemi, head of the seminary “Jamia Naeemia” in the city Lahore was killed when a bomber entered his office in his seminary shortly after he offered Friday prayers.

He was serious injured and was taken to hospital where he died of wounds. He was talking to some students in his office in the premises of the seminary when the young bomber ripped through his office.

Three other people, including a close associate of Dr Naeemi, Dr Khali-ur-Rehman, were also killed in the attack. Five other people were injured.

Maulana Naeemi was known for his stand against the suicide attack and Taliban policies. He had issued a decree that suicide attacks are un-Islamic. He had also supported the army operation against the Taliban.

The angry students of the seminary beat the police and did not allow them to enter the building.

Meanwhile a suicide bomber targeted a mosque of the army’s supply depot in the city of Nowshehra in the North West Frontier Province, killing at least four people, police said.

The bomber rammed his explosives-packed vehicle into the mosque when the people were offering noon prayers. Over 50 others were injured. Witnesses said that mostly soldiers were offering prayers at the mosque when it was attacked.

No group claimed responsibility for both attacks. But the government blames suspected Taliban for such attacks.

The building of the mosque collapsed on the worshippers, witnesses said.

Waqar Naeemi, son of Dr Naeemi, asked students and followers to remain calm.

President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the bomb blast at Jamia Naeemia mosque in Lahore, that killed renowned religious leader Maulana Sarfraz Naeemi and several others.

The President also condemned the blast at a mosque in Nowshera and ordered inquiry into the tragic incidents. He expressed condolence with the families of deceased persons and directed the authorities to ensure proper treatment of the injured.
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