Blast in Westridge, Rawalpindi

[Omar1984]

yes, in about two to three days they'll release the names of the terrorists responsible for the incident and they'll all be muslims, probably belonging to the tribal areas of Pakistan. At which point many people like yourself will move on to saying, it's a conspiracy, gov't and army isn't telling the truth and CIA and Blackwater are involved, meanwhile muslim terrorists mostly belonging to our own country will be planing another suicide attack in another masjid. No offense to you but it's all just too typical of behavior.

May Allah bless the souls of martyred, death of any innocent leaves a profound effect but when there are kids involved, it just leaves this scar on my heart and reading their names..... it's horrible, I wonder what their parents must be going through tonight, knowing that their beloved isn't tucked in his bed tonight but carried off to a cemetery and buried. Nothing is more worse in this world than that parent who looses his/her child. I know because I've seen my mother, it's been 15 years since my seven year old sister's death, all of us have moved on but she still secretly holds on to her purse, her belongings and her pictures and looks at them in our absence. Time heals many wounds but this is such wound for a mother that even time doesn't help much. I pray that Allah grants them sabar in life to cope with this grief. In-Allah-Ha Ma-us-sabreen. Allah saber kernay walon ke satth hai.

Sorry about your sister but 15 years ago we never had a TTP Taliban problem. All these problems with suicide bombings, etc are recent post-9/11/2001.

And the mastermind of all these attacks are not people belonging to tribal areas of Pakistan. If people of FATA really hated Pakistan, why did they free almost half of Kashmir and make it part of Pakistan in 1947.

Pakistanis were living with each other in peace for so long, dont try to make us turn against each other. Only the enemies of Muslims would want Muslims to fight each other.

I agree with Jana sister that this all is a big game, if it really was Muslim "extremists" then we would be seeing this kind of stuff happening before too..but all this sh*t started after Bush declared a war OF terror.

 

[iPhone]

Taliban have accepted the responsibility of the attack, Geo reporting. So here is the dilemma. Army's Lal Masjid operation led to a very strong protest by the people and most political parties, in the front lines were JI and PML-N, JI still harping about the incident. Now what is going to be the reaction of the people and political party, esp JI, condemning the attack alone doesn't count. Are we going to see mullah's out in full force protesting the attack on the Masjid and calling out taliban for this barbaric act? sadly, no we're not. No one's gonna protest the TTP for this henious act. it's like they're given full freedom to attack anywhere. such a shame.

 

[Mujahid]

Pictures of the vehicle used in Suicide blast in Parade Lane Mosque on Friday. Any information regarding this vehicle may please be passed on this telephone number. 051-5112408.

 

[TaimiKhan]

Pictures of the vehicle used in Suicide blast in Parade Lane Mosque on Friday. Any information regarding this vehicle may please be passed on this telephone number. 051-5112408.

a 100% stolen car.

 

[TaimiKhan]

Ameer Sheikh, a retired army officer who worships daily at the mosque and got to the scene immediately, said that the attackers carried out executions.

"They got hold of their hair and shot them," he said. "I saw people who used to be in the front row with me, lying there dead.

"I met a lot of army officers who had rushed there, desperately looking for their sons."

Mr Sheikh's son, Nasir Ali Sheikh, who was in the mosque at the time of the attack, managed to slip out and hide in some bushes. He said that the terrorists had also struck the women's section of the mosque.

"It was very terrible inside," said Nasir Ali Sheikh. "There were two people wearing belts with grenades and bullets... for fifteen to twenty minutes, we were helpless and hopeless."

Officials admitted that the mosque attackers had evaded a security cordon, with reports saying that they wore ammunition vests and used ladders to climb into the mosque through its windows.

Pakistani army leaders killed in al-Qaeda mosque attack - Telegraph

 

[Windjammer]

Prob is that in the initial moments, many variants of the stories emerge as everything is in chaos. You can't get a clear picture in the first few hours, by tomorrow the picture would be very clear as ISPR still has to release what really happened, as they are still investigating. But what i have found out is that 2 guys attacked first, when they were engaged, 2 other went into the mosque and did the mayhem, but before blowing themselves up they did threw hand grenades did as much damage as possible, before blowing themselves up and they did not came from the mall road area, rather it seems they crosses over some wall nearby which was separating this area as behind this area there is a huge area where civilian population lives too.

So in a day or two things would be pretty much cleared.

A very very sad incident, 2 fathers and their sons lost their lives at the same time. Most of the children were less then 15 years or just above 10 in other words, may Allah give these murderers the saza they deserve with a 1000 times more severeness. They have made a lot of families lives destroyed.

Yes I heard they used a ladder to breach the wall, which proves some recce must have been carried out. It's a very sad day indeed, however what's worrying is these people don't load up in say Waziristan and just drive down to Peshawar, Lahore or Rawalpindi, it's obvious they have safe houses all over stuffed with all the ammo they need. That is the enemy within.

 

[nwmalik]

inshahallah we will come out victorious at the end.
still nawaz sharif and the religious parties thinking.
if only our nation had seen the writing on the wall with Lal masjid episode.
And some want to try those who did Lal masjid?
Wake up Pakistan.
stand with your soldiers and police.
we should all act as eyes and ears.

 

[iPhone]

Sorry about your sister but 15 years ago we never had a TTP Taliban problem. All these problems with suicide bombings, etc are recent post-9/11/2001.

And the mastermind of all these attacks are not people belonging to tribal areas of Pakistan. If people of FATA really hated Pakistan, why did they free almost half of Kashmir and make it part of Pakistan in 1947.

Pakistanis were living with each other in peace for so long, dont try to make us turn against each other. Only the enemies of Muslims would want Muslims to fight each other.

I agree with Jana sister that this all is a big game, if it really was Muslim "extremists" then we would be seeing this kind of stuff happening before too..but all this sh*t started after Bush declared a war OF terror.

actually there are many reports by Pakistani army and ISI brass this war had started two-three years before 9/11, they had seen a dramatic change in the tribal region being occupied by the foreigners. You can watch a few of Jirga episodes where Saleem Safi calls such individuals on weekly basis and they all have confirmed that is phinomenon had to happen regardless of bush's war.

Another thing, ttp taliban have accepted the responsibility of the attack on the masjid. They have on numerous occasions made public their stance that they dont consider the Pakistani people to be muslims if they're not fighting with them, we are kufars to them our masjids are not masjids so they will attack us even in majsid. This is from a captured suicide bomber, his interview was aired, and muslim khan taped phone conversation.

So this answers your question how a muslim can murder another in a mosque. Simple, they dont consider us muslims. So it's about time you open your eyes, too bro. But ok, i'll agree with you on this though, when you said they're not muslims. You know what, they really aren't muslims, they're not even human, they may call themselves muslims but we shouldn't consider them muslims anymore.

 

[waraich66]

Pakistani army leaders killed in al-Qaeda mosque attack
Senior Pakistani military leaders and their children were among 36 people killed in an al-Qaeda attack as they gathered for Friday prayers.


By Saeed Shah in Rawalpindi
Published: 6:38PM GMT 04 Dec 2009
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Pakistani soldiers take up position outside a besieged mosque in Pakistan's garrison city Rawalpindi on December 4, 2009: Pakistan: gunmen attack mosque in Rawalpindi
Pakistani soldiers take up position outside a besieged mosque in Pakistan's garrison city Rawalpindi on December 4, 2009 Photo: AFP/GETTY
policemen secure the site after a sucide bomb blast in Rawalpindi on November 2, 2009: Pakistan: gunmen attack mosque in Rawalpindi
Policemen secure the site after a sucide bomb blast in Rawalpindi on November 2, 2009 Photo: AFP/GETTY
Pakistani soldiers take up position outside a besieged mosque in Pakistan's garrison city Rawalpindi on December 4, 2009: Pakistan: gunmen attack mosque in Rawalpindi
Photo: AFP/GETTY

Five serving officers, including a major general, a brigadier, two lieutenant colonels and a major, died in the assault by suicide bombers and gunmen on a mosque near the army's headquarters in Rawalpindi.

A retired major and three serving ordinary soldiers were also among the dead as well as 17 children, including 11 sons of officers.


Pakistan: gunmen kill 39 at Rawalpindi mosque

Militants launched the raid on the mosque located inside a heavily-guarded area of Rawalpindi, surrounded by housing for army officers.

Witnesses said at least four attackers struck around 1.20pm, local time, hurling grenades and opening fire on worshippers, before two of the assailants blew themselves up inside the mosque.

The attacks caused structural damage to the building and left it stained with blood and body parts.

Security forces killed the two remaining assailants, who had opened fire indiscriminately, the military said.

Ameer Sheikh, a retired army officer who worships daily at the mosque and got to the scene immediately, said that the attackers carried out executions.

"They got hold of their hair and shot them," he said. "I saw people who used to be in the front row with me, lying there dead.

"I met a lot of army officers who had rushed there, desperately looking for their sons."

Mr Sheikh's son, Nasir Ali Sheikh, who was in the mosque at the time of the attack, managed to slip out and hide in some bushes. He said that the terrorists had also struck the women's section of the mosque.

"It was very terrible inside," said Nasir Ali Sheikh. "There were two people wearing belts with grenades and bullets... for fifteen to twenty minutes, we were helpless and hopeless."

The main Pakistani extremist group, Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which is closely tied to al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the attack.

In October, gunmen stormed the military headquarters in Rawalpindi, less than three miles from the mosque, in a 20-hour siege that left 14 people inside the complex and nine militants dead.

Officials admitted that the mosque attackers had evaded a security cordon, with reports saying that they wore ammunition vests and used ladders to climb into the mosque through its windows.

"The area is a high security zone," said Maj Gen Athar Abbas, the chief military spokesman. "It is yet to be established where the breach took place."

Earlier this week, a bomber on foot tried to enter a naval complex in Islamabad but was stopped at the gates, where he blew himself up, killing two guards on duty.

Militants have launched a string of bloody attacks in Pakistan since the military began a campaign in South Waziristan to tackle extremists. More than 400 people have died since October.

"These are just the last acts of this organisation), desperate acts," said Maj Gen Abbas. "I think we'll have to absorb a few more of these attacks."

 

[air marshal]

President telephones COAS

ISLAMABAD, Dec 4 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari telephoned Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and expressed grief and condolences over the killing of innocent people including children and army personnel in the twin suicide bomb blasts at a mosque in Parade Lane, Rawalpindi on Friday.

The President strongly condemned this heinous act of terrorism and reiterated the government’s resolve to continue to fight this menace till its logical conclusion.

President Zardari appreciated the valor and sacrifices of the armed forces personnel in the fight against terrorism and militancy. He also conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and prayed to Allah Almighty to shower His blessings on the departed souls.

 

[Kuuba]

Sorry to hear the sad news... RIP to those innocent lives...

Hope such tragedy would never happen again.

 

[air marshal]

PM telephones COAS

ISLAMABAD, Dec 4 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani spoke to the Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Friday evening and expressed grief and sorrow over the tragic suicide attack at a Rawalpindi mosque today in which several innocent people lost their lives including the armed forces personnel.

He also extended his condolences on the loss of precious lives.
The Prime Minister appreciated the valor and courage of the armed forces in meeting the challenge of terrorism and lauded the sacrifices given by them in providing security to the life and property of the people.

The Prime Minister reiterated that such cowardly acts would not weaken the government’s resolve of eliminating the scourge of terrorism from the country.

 

[air marshal]

Foreign Minister condemns blasts in Rawalpindi mosque

ISLAMABAD, Dec 4 (APP): Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday strongly condemned the blasts in a mosque in Rawalpindi on Friday, that resulted in the loss of precious lives.

The Foreign Minister said such reprehensible acts can never defeat the government’s resolve to fight out terrorism and militancy.

He expressed sympathy with the members of bereaved families and prayed for the early recovery of injured.

 

[air marshal]

President, PM strongly condemn Rawalpindi blast

ISLAMABAD, Dec 4 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Friday strongly condemned the bomb blast in a mosque in Rawalpindi, killing several persons.

In his message, the President said the perpetrators of such heinous crime would not be spared. He expressed condolence over the loss of innocent lives and said the government was committed to root out terrorism from the country.

In a separate message, the Prime Minister said terrorists and extremists were the country’s biggest enemies and every effort would be made to eradicate them at all cost.

He directed the concerned authorities to investigate the matter and asked the medical staff to ensure better treatment of the injured.

 

[air marshal]

Ulema urged to denounce suicide attacks

ISLAMABAD, Dec 4 (APP):Interior Minister A. Rehman Malik Friday urged the Ulema to give Fatwa against suicide attacks, Talking to media here at the interior ministry, Malik said no religion allows suicide attacks and slaughter of innocent people including children, elders and women.

He said the recent indiscriminate incidents of terrorism on mosques and innocent people have proved that the terrorists were neither Muslim nor serving religion or the country, rather they had their own ulterior motives.

Rehman Malik said the recent wave of terrorist attacks is the reaction to Waziristan operation.

He expressed the apprehension that terrorists might carry out more such attacks.

“The terrorists might carry out more attacks to take revenge of the Waziristan operation,” he said.

The Minister said the security forces had killed most of the leaders of terrorist outfits including TTP, Sipha Sahaba and some other organisations and added that the recent terrorist attacks were desperate attempts of the members of these organisations.

He said Al-Qaeda, TTP, Sipha Sahaba and some others were actively involved behind the incidents of terrorism in the country to make Pakistan a failed state.
Malik expressed the government’s resolve to continue action against the terrorists till the elimination of last terrorist from the country. He assured the nation that the remnants of terrorists would be eliminated within a few weeks or months.

The Federal Minister strongly condemned the attack at a mosque in Rawalpindi and said the perpetrators committed the barbaric act could not be called Muslims, while they are traitors and “Kafir”.
Malik said 36 people including 10 children embraced Shahadat in the terrorist attack while more then 45 people were injured.

According to preliminary reports, he said four suicide bombers entered the mosque and opened indiscriminate firing on “Nimazis” and hurled hand grenades.

Later the two suicide bomber exploded themselves inside the mosques while the two others killed by the firing of the security forces.

To a question regarding involvement of any foreign hand in the incident, he said Pakistan does not believe in allegation without any evidence.

He however pointed out that all weapons and ammunition were coming from across the border. “We have time and again asked the Afghan government to block the supply of arms.”

The Minster further said that recently the security forces seized trucks from Bara (NWFP) with Indian branded ammunition.
To a question he said scanners have been imported from China which would soon be installed in the Federal Capital.

Earlier the Minister chaired a meeting to review security arrangements for the holy month of Muharram. The meeting was attended by IGPs, Home Secretaries and officials of intelligence agencies.

He said that strict security would be maintained during the holy months in collaboration with the Ulema and volunteers. He further said that there would be ban on display and carrying of arms.

The provincial governments have been asked to hold meetings with Ulema and finalise security arrangements for the holy month, he said.
A committee would review the situation in Kurram agency and Parachinar and would suggest measures to open Kurram-Parachinar road.