AFghanistan Connection to Bhakkar Blast Tragedy 30 killed

[Kumar]

ISLAMABAD, Oct. 6 (Xinhua) -- As many as 17 people were killed and 30 others injured in a bomb blast in eastern Pakistan on Monday, according to private Geo TV channel.

The blast took place in the house of a member of national assembly Rasheed Akber Khan Nawani in Bhakkar district of Punjab province, Geo reported.

Some 150 people gathered at Nawani's house to extend Eid greetings when the suicide blast occurred.

Nawani who belonged to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz was also injured, according to Geo.

Police cordoned off the area after the blast and the injured have been taken to a nearby hospital.

No group has claimed responsibility for the blast.

The guest house of Asfandyar Wali Khan, leader of the Awami National Party (ANP), was also hit by a suicide blast last Thursday and at least four people were killed in the attack.

The DAWN NEWS reported Monday that Asfandyar Wali Khan and his family members were moving to the Presidency on the advice of intelligence department.

The airport in Quetta, capital city of southwestern Balochistan province, was sealed on Monday after it received a bomb threat.

Security across the country has been put on high alert as the security forces are continuing their operations against militants in northwest and tribal areas.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani held a meeting on Sunday and reaffirmed their resolve to crush terrorism.

During a three-hour meeting at the President's House here, the two leaders approved a security plan for political and religious leaders, local newspaper Daily Times reported Monday.

TV: 17 killed in bomb blast in E Pakistan_English_Xinhua

 

[dr.umer]

RIP.

Another effort to create chaos in the country by attacking political leadership and this time place is southern Punjab and surprisingly a member of PML (N) is target this time.

 

[DarkStar]

BHAKKAR: Thirty people were killed and over 53 others injured, many of them critically, in a suicide blast that ripped through the residence of MNA Rasheed Akbar Khan Nawani in Bhakkar on Monday.

The Interior Ministry has confirmed the deaths of 20 people but put the number of injured at 35.

The MNA was among the injured. Some of the wounded are in serious condition, DSP Bhakkar Khadim Hussain said.

He said people were exchanging Eid greetings with the MNA at the time of the blast.

“It will be premature to say who is responsible for the attack,” the DSP said adding, evidence is being collected from the blast site which was cordoned off by the police.

The head of the suicide bomber has been found.

A suicide jacket was also found from the site of the blast while an Afghan currency note was found on the suicide attacker, a Geo News correspondent reported.

Saeed Akbar Nawani, brother of MNA Rasheed Akbar Nawani has confirmed that the latter remained safe and only received minor bruises.

According to details, MNA Rasheed Akbar Nawani was exchanging Eid greetings with the people who gathered at his ‘Dera’ when a man with curly hair entered the place and tried to get close to the MNA but failed, as the place was jam-packed with people. He then detonated the explosives strapped on him which ripped his body into pieces and killed 30 others and injured 53.

The injured were brought to District Headquarter Hospital Bhakkar.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani Monday condemned the suicide attack in strongest terms.

No one has so far claimed responsibility of the attack, DSP Bhakkar Khadim Hussain said.