Al-Qaeda behind suicide attack, says Pakistani minister
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, April 30, IRNA
Pakistan-Minister Attack
Pakistan's interior minister, who escaped in a suicide bomb attack at the weekend, said on Monday that al-Qaeda has links with the attack.
Some 28 people were killed and more than 60 injured when a suicide bomber blew himself in a public meeting of the interior minister in his hometown of Charsadda in North West Frontier Province.
Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao survived in the attack but he and his son received minor injuries.
"The incident has links with Al-Qaeda," Sherpao told a news conference in Islamabad.
He said parts of Russian made suicide jacket were found from the site of the incident, adding that a very high explosive of six kilograms was used in the suicide blast.
He said investigation is progressing in systematic manner.
Sherpao said according to initial investigations, modus operandi in the incident is identical to the blasts in Peshawar, Quetta and Dera Ismail Khan.
"The only difference is that there was no grenade but more explosives was used."
He said two heads found from the site are still identified. "In this way the attackers can be one or two."
He said the prime suspect is reportedly is a young man.
The interior minister reiterated government's determination to rid the society of terrorism and extremism and incidents like Charsadda blast cannot deter the government from achieving this objective.
"After the attack, my determination has increased and I will work with more resolve to curb terrorism. If any one has done this to put on back foot, they are mistaken," Sherpao sad.
The minister said they have marginalized the terrorists and will be able to curb them.
He said a team headed by additional inspector general of police is investigating into the incident and a team of Federal Investigation Agency is assisting in this task.
2020/235/2322/1412
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
