ISLAMABAD – A powerful provincial minister of Pakistan who had vowed to eliminate terrorists without any discrimination was himself attacked and killed by a terrorist suicide bomber when he visited his native town where he had arranged a tribal gathering. Initial reports confirmed the deaths of ten people, several dozen injured and the minister remained trapped under the debris of collapsed roof.
Col (R) Shujah Khanzada, the home minister of Pakistan’s biggest Punjab Province had been receiving threats after Punjab Police recently killed 12 members of a radical militant group which often claimed attacks on rival Muslim leaders. Shujah Khanzada was seriously injured in the blast while five people were known dead by Sunday afternoon.
At least five people were known dead in Sunday attack which took place after an interval of several weeks. A suicide attack on the residence of Provincial Interior Minister Shuja Khanzada took place on Sunday when he had invited tribal leaders to hold a jirga in Attock, hundreds of km away from Punjab. Col (R) Shujah Khanzada himself from Attock and belong to Yousufzai tribe.
Police officials also declared the attack as suicide attack and started the preliminary investigation.
Attack occurred during corner meeting. According rescue personnel, more than 15 people were injured in explosion at farm house of minister Punjab. Police rescue teams reach the site. District Police Officer of Shadi Khan arrived at site along with police personnel.
