தற்கொலை குண்டுவெடிப்பில் 17 பேர் பலி

17 killed in suicide blast at Pakistan MP's house
Islamabad (PTI): In a sudden upsurge in militant attacks, at least 17 people were killedon Monday and 60 injured as a suspected suicide bomber struck at the home of a prominent PML-N parliamentarian in Pakistan's heartland of Punjab province.

The bomber blew himself up at the residence of PML-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. Though TV channels reported that between 15 to 20 people were killed, Punjab's Inspector General of Police Shaukat Javed confirmed 12 deaths.

Nawani was injured in the attack and rushed to a hospital, where channels said his condition was serious. 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 PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif.

Nawani's residence was sealed off by policemen and investigators scoured the site of the blast for clues. Police officials said they had found parts of the body of the suicide bomber and these would be sent for DNA tests to establish his identity. Media reports said that the lawmaker was embracing people and wishing them Eid greetings when the blast occurred.

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 NWFP last week in which four people were killed.