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TV: 17 killed in bomb blast in E Pakistan
(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. Posted by: Fred 2008-10-07 |
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