Suicide attack on Pakistani political leader kills four: Police
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, Oct 2, IRNA
Pakistan-Suicide Attack
A suicide bomber blew himself up near a top Pakistani political leader in the country's northwest, killing four people, on Thursday, the Police Chief said.
Chief of Aami National Party (ANP) Asfandayar Wali Khan escaped unhurt in the attack outside his residence in the town of Charsadda, some 30 kilometers from Peshawar, Inspector General Police, Malik Naveed, said.
A policeman, Asfandayar's guard and a visitor were killed in the attack and around 10 people were injured. The bomber also died.
Witnesses and a police constable, Bilal Ahmad, said that the bomber wanted to approach the ANP leader who was sitting with the visitors around 20 meters away from the bomber.
Bilal, who was also injured in the attack, told reporters that the gunman of Asfandayar Wali opened fire on the suspected bomber to stop him approaching Asfandayar Wali. The bomber after receiving bullets exploded his explosive jacket.
The provincial Information Minister, Mian Iftekhar Hussain said that the ANP chief and party leaders had received threats.
A witness said that the bomber managed to pass through "The Walk through Gate" but the private gunman suspected movement of the bomber and started firing.
Policeman Bilal said that he saw the bomber running towards Asfandayar Wali who was receiving Eid Greetings from the visitors on the second day of Eid.
No group claimed responsibility for the attack. But the government blames suspected militants for such attacks.
ANP Central leader Senator Haji Adeel said that those who are threatening ANP leaders, their houses would also not be safe. In Islamabad the Interior Advisor, Rehman Malik condemned the attack and asked the provincial government to submit a report.
Malik Naveed and senior police officials from Peshawar immediately rushed to Wali Bagh, the attack site, to monitor the situation.
The witnesses and local policemen briefed him about the attack and its aftermath.
The injured were shifted to district hospital Charsadda and some critical injured were taken to Peshawar.
The Interior Advisor praised the police on duty to foil the bomber attempt to hit ANP leader.
The provincial government had already asked political leaders not to go to public places during Eid.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani contacted Asfandayar Wali Khan on phone and condemned the attack.
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