News
Friday, April 01, 2011
Suicide bomber attacks JUI-F chief’s convoy, 12 killedFazlur Rehman escapes another assassination bid
* Windscreen of JUI-F chief’s vehicle smashed g Two policemen among those killed
* 42 people injured
* President, prime minister condemn attack
CHARSADDA: A suicide bomber struck a convoy carrying Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief in Charsadda on Thursday, killing 12 people and wounding 42 others, police said. It was the second attack against Maulana Fazlur Rehman and his supporters in two days.
Several people accompanying the JUI-F chief, as well as policemen, were wounded in the attack near the DCO office on Nowshera Road, but Fazl was reported to be safe.
“The bomb exploded just when Maulana’s vehicle passed that area. He was on his way to attend a public meeting. He is safe and sound,” Abdul Jalil Jan, a JUI-F leader, said.
Government officials said the suspected bomber detonated the explosives strapped to his body as the JUI-F chief’s convoy and police escort were heading towards the meeting venue. Apparently, the bomber was targeting the vehicle of the JUI-F chief, they added.
“Yes, Maulana was the target of the attack. We don’t know why is he being targeted,” Jan said.
“At least 12 people were martyred, including four police officials, and 42 others were wounded in the suicide bombing,” a senior administration official, Ajmal Khan, said.
“The bomber was on foot and he jumped on the main road in front of the police vehicle and detonated his explosives when the convoy of Fazl was coming,” Khan said.
The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals in Charsadda and Peshawar. The death toll may increase further as condition of several injured was stated to be critical.
The windscreens of the vehicles of the JUI-F chief and his companions, former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Akram Khan Durrani and former federal minisiter Azam Swati, were reportedly smashed.
The JUI-F chief told media he had not received any threats in connection with the rallies. He said he will continue to address rallies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He informed reporters that Durrani and Swati were unharmed.
After the bombing, the area was cordoned off and the rally was postponed while the JUI-F workers staged a strong protest, demanding immediate arrest of the perpetrators of the assault. The bombing left seven shops and three vehicles wrecked.
Senior provincial minister Bashir Bilour told reporters that he could not comment on who was behind the blast, but said that Taliban were trying to destabilise the government by attacking politicians.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani telephoned Maulana Fazlur Rahman and strongly condemned the bombing. They also prayed for those who lost their lives and those injured in the attack. Both the leaders assured Fazl of action against the perpetrators of the crime.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik condemned the attack and constituted a joint investigation team to conduct an inquiry into the incident. agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk