Pakistani minister says blast probe 'moving forward'
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, May 28, IRNA
Pakistan-Blast
Pakistan's interior minister said on Saturday that investigation into the deadly suicide bomb attack at a Muslim shrine near Islamabad, which killed some 20 people, is 'moving forward'.
"Investigations are moving forward on the basis of available evidences," Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao told reporters after visiting the site of the suicide bombing.
Some 60 persons were also injured in the blast at the Bari Imam shrine near the diplomatic quarter in the Pakistan capital, when a suicide bomber exploded a bomb in a gathering of Shia Muslims on Friday.
The police have also released a photo of the bomber and offered a reward of two million rupees (dlrs 34,000) for details that could identify the suicide bomber or give information about accomplices.
The minister said that a joint team has started investigation into the blast at Bari Imam shrine, which he described as an act of terrorism.
He said it would be premature to conclude as to who was behind the blast and that whether or not it was the result of sectarianism.
"It is very difficult to control suicide bombings as there is no method for it," Sherpao added.
He said the people injured and those who were present at the time of the blast would record their statements to help in the
investigation process.
"Such incidents bring bad name to the country and the government is committed to curbing terrorism."
Sherpao said the head of the suicide bomber and some other parts of his body were found and the investigation committee was proceeding ahead with the help of evidence collected from the site.
He however declined to give details, saying premature disclosure could affect the investigation.
Shia leaders at a press conference in Islamabad on Saturday announced that they will hold a big rally in the capital on Friday to condemn the attack and press the government to expose those who were behind the bombing.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The Shia community has also begun three days of mourning for the victims.
Newspapers on Saturday published photographs of the suspect after the blast -- with a bloodied unshaven face, thin moustache and curly hair.
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan also condemned the bombing, expressing outrage that civilians have been repeatedly targeted at their places of worship.
US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Christina Rocca described the attack as a 'tragic event'.
TK/TSH/2322/1412
::IRNA No.049 28/05/2005 19:06 --End
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