"Suicide bomber kills 20 near Rawalpindi Imambargah"
The attack, in the Dhok Sayidan area of Rawalpindi, comes hours after two back-to-back bomb blasts --40 minutes apart-- near an Imambargah in Karachi, which killed two people and left 16 others wounded.
Sources quoted eyewitnesses as saying that a suicide bomber suddenly entered into the Moharram-ul-Haram procession and detonated the explosives strapped to his body.
"Two unknown people, who did not appear to be mourners, barged in the procession and one of them blew himself up", said eyewitnesses.
It is pertinent to mention that around 3,000-4,000 mourners left one Imamabargah in the form of a procession and were on their way to another, when the bomber struck.
The blast blew a hole in one of the walls of Imambargah. Body parts were scattered at the scene.
Hundreds of mourners, beating their heads and chests,kept marching, even though other explosive devices were found at the site.
A hand grenade, which failed to go off, was also recovered from the spot of the blast.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.
Rescue and emergency teams have kicked off their services while ambulances have engaged in shifting the injured to District Headquarters Hospitals (DHQ) and other medical care facilities.
Rescue sources fear the death toll might go up as more and more critically injured victims were pouring into the emergency rooms.
Later DCO Rawalindi, Saqib Zafar, confirmed the casualties.
"So far we have received credible reports that 20 people have been killed and 47 injured in the suicide blast", Zafar told media.
He said around 14 bodies were brought to Rawalpindi DHQ, whereas 6 bodies to Combined Military Hospital.
He also informed the media that 5 injured victims of the blast were shifted to Benazir Bhutto Hospital. Moreover blast victims were also other hospitals as well.
On the other hand Medical Superintendent, Dr Sher Ali told media that DHQ Rawalpindi had received 30 injured of which 16 were discharged after first aid, while the wounds of 14 others were being tended to.
Dr Sher also revealed the severed head of the suicide bomber was in the custody of DHQ authorities.
The rest of the remains of the suicide bomber were also sent to a hospital for a DNA test, sources added.
Security forces cordoned off the area and started scouring the blast site for the pieces of evidence.
Two policemen and a couple of volunteers are also among the injured.
A large number of people gathered outside the blast site and chanted slogans against the poor security measures taken by the government.
They claimed that the security arrangements were not enough to provide protection to the mourners and alleged that the police personnel were not properly checking the suspicious from joining the procession.
Owing to this chaotic situation, security forces had a hard time combing the area to collect whatever traces of forensic evidence could be found on top of detecting the presence of more explosives.
"The area could not be cleared for investigation as the bereaved families and friends had refused to leave the site of tragedy", said sources.
Army helicopters continued to conduct aerial surveillance after the incident.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said the attacks were designed to create the impression that the government is incapable of providing adequate security for the summit.
"We are trying to build relationships, get investment in Pakistan and these groups are trying to derail the process," he told media.
The violence erupted a day before Pakistan hosts a summit of developing nations attended by the leaders of Iran, Egypt,Turkey, Indonesia and other countries. Some of the presidents have already arrived.
Source of News:
http://www.geo.tv/GeoDetail.aspx?ID=76513
"Two killed, 16 injured in twin blasts near Karachi Imambargah"
The second blast, caused by a planted device, occurred at the same spot 40 minutes after the first explosion - a suicide attack - left one dead and ten others injured.
Raja Umer Khitab SSP Special Investigation Unit (SIU) said ball bearings were used in both the blasts while the second one was an Improvised Explosives Device (IED) planted in the area.
Six persons were injured in the second explosion. Media men including a Geo News cameraman and a female reporter of a private channel are among the injured besides mourners present there to attend a congregation at the Imambargah and security personnel present on the blast site.
Rangers have cordoned off the area surrounding the spot of the twin explosions.
DIG West, Javed Odho has confirmed that a rickshaw driver was killed in the first blast and ten others injured. The target of the attack could have been the Imambargah but the bomber missed it, as the motorcycle collided with a rikshaw before reaching the target, he said.
Ambulances have whisked away the dead and injured to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, sources said.
The blasts damaged several shops and vehicles outside the Imambargah where members of the forensic team are now collecting evidence.
Source of News:
http://www.geo.tv/GeoDetail.aspx?ID=76476
"Bannu: Blast outside DSP’s house"
Police said the blast was of low intensity and only damaged the main gate of DSP Gul Naseeb’s residence in Kala Khel area.
No casualties were reported.
More details are awaited
Source of News:
http://www.geo.tv/GeoDetail.aspx?ID=76548
"Islamabad security on high alert; partial holiday announced"
The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by Minister for Interior, Rehman Malik held here on Wednesday to review law and order and security situation of Federal Capital and arrangements made for Muharram-ul-Haram and D-8 Summit.
The meeting took decisions, which included that all schools, colleges and educational institutions (public and private) will remain close on November 22.
All offices of District Administration as well as Pakistan Secretariat will remain close except Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Chief Commissioner and DC Office, ICT Police, Capital Development Authority (CDA), Islamabad Electricity Supply Company (IESCO), National Assembly Secretariat and Senate Secretariat.
In addition the meeting also decided security measures for Thursday which included that no motorcycle will be allowed in Red Zone.
No member of general public would be allowed to enter in Red Zone on November 22 (Thursday) except authorized persons while no heavy vehicle will be allowed to enter in ICT from mid night Wednesday.
The other decision was taken that no construction activity and transfer of construction material will be allowed in ICT from mid night Wednesday.
No motorcycle and motorcar would be allowed to accompany the procession. Islamabad Administration was directed to ensure that no vehicle/motorcycle is parked and enroute to the procession at
reasonable distance to be determined by the Police.
Muharram procession must end before sunset, it was further decided.
The meeting was attended by Secretary Interior, Secretary
Foreign Affairs, Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Inspector General of
Police Islamabad and Director General of National Crisis Management
Cell (NCMC).
Source of News:
http://www.geo.tv/GeoDetail.aspx?ID=76535
"Rawalpindi top cop says bomber struck during frisking"
"The suicide bomber blew himself up when the security officials were
checking (his body). We had prior information about the attacks and were fully alert," said Azhar Hameed Khokhar.
Khokhar said that the authorities would run a DNA test of the body parts of the bomber to determine his links.
Another police official, Muhammad Haroon, told media that the attack took place when the procession was almost 500 metres from the mosque where it was heading.
Moreover the bomb disposal squad told media that at least 3 kilos of extremely lethal high-grade explosive was used in the blast.
“We have found a detonator and a dud hand grenade, which if it had gone off, could have led to more casualties”, said they.
Source of News:
http://www.geo.tv/GeoDetail.aspx?ID=76531
"PM Ashraf denounces bomb blast in Rawalpindi"
He expressed grief and sorrow over the unfortunate incident.
The Prime Minister directed the concerned authorities to immediately start relief operation and leave no stone unturned in the provision of medical treatment to the injured.
He also directed the concerned authorities to investigate the incident and submit a report in this regard.
Source of News:
http://www.geo.tv/GeoDetail.aspx?ID=76532
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