Suicide blast kills 24, wounds minister in Pakistan

PAKISTAN: At least 24 people were killed and 45 wounded, including a federal minister, in a powerful suicide blast at a political rally in northwest Pakistan, officials said Saturday.

Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao had just addressed the public gathering when the bomber rushed towards the stage, setting off a huge explosion, witnesses said.

The attack took place in the town of Charsada in North West Frontier Province (NWFP) bordering Afghanistan.

“The death toll in the suicide attack is 24 now and around 45 people are injured,” provincial police chief Sharif Virk told reporters, adding that two more people had died of wounds in hospital.

Interior ministry spokesman Brigadier Javed Cheema said five police were killed, apparently preventing the attacker from reaching Sherpao.

Local journalist Sabz Ali, who was at the scene, said the blast caused “mayhem all around.”

“People ran in panic and there was blood, limbs and and pieces of human flesh scattered all over the place,” Ali said. He said he saw the bomber scrambling towards the stage just as Sherpao was leaving after his speech.

Sherpao is staunch supporter of President Pervez Musharraf and has been a prominent figure in touting the government’s achievements in the fight against terrorism.

Television footage showed the visibly shaken minister with blood on his clothes being escorted to a car by a group of people.

Islamabad, Sunday, AFP