07/10/2008
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Suicide blast in Bhakkar, kills 20
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PM, President condemn
BHAKKAR: Twenty people were killed and dozens were 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 and put the number of injured at 35. The injured were brought to District Headquarter Hospital Bhakkar.
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 private news channel's correspondent reported. Saeed Akbar Nawani, brother of MNA Rasheed Akbar Nawani has confirmed that the latter remained safe and only received minor bruises.
Chief Minister Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif has issued directives to the concerned authorities to immediately carry out investigation into the incident besides providing relief to the injured. President, Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani Monday condemned the suicide attack in strongest terms.
The Prime Minister has announced Rs300,000 for the heirs of the deceased and Rs100,000 each for the injured. Meanwhile, enraged people blocked the D I Khan Road after the suicide attack.
No one has so far claimed responsibility of the attack, DSP Bhakkar Khadim Hussain said. - Agencies
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